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The History of Don Quixote 





Page 19 . 



•t* Mi9udj-De-CetYQ3rites^Sadr^^ <• 

/^ra-nqecC hy 

A^’IUethL^. 


NEW YORK 

FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY 
PUBLISHERS 




Printed in Great Britain 


^ \ O *5. ^ 





CHAPTER PAGE 

I. THE FAMOUS DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA. HIS FIRST 
ADVENTURE, AND HOW HE WAS DUBBED KNIGHT BY AN 
INN KEEPER ------ i 

II. WHAT HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE AFTER HE LEFT THE INN; 

ALSO AN ACCOUNT OF HIS SECOND SALLY IN SEARCH OF 
ADVENTURES - - - . - _ - 10 

III. THE REMARKABLE AND TERRIFYING ADVENTURE OF THE 

WINDMILLS, AND HOW DON QUIXOTE FOUGHT A COMBAT 
WITH A GENTLEMAN FROM BISCAY - - . - 21 

IV. WHAT PASSED BETWEEN DON QUIXOTE AND THE GOATHERDS. 


ALSO THE STRANGE STORY OF MARCELLA, THE SHEPHERDESS ^2 

V. THE BATTLE WITH THE YANGUESIAN CARRIERS, AND HOW 

DON Quixote’s squire, sancho panza, was tossed in a 

BLANKET - - - - - - 42 

VI. THE TERRIBLE ADVENTURES OF DON QUIXOTE DURING A DARK 
NIGHT, AND THE STORY THAT SANCHO PANZA TOLD TO 
HIS MASTER - - - - - “55 

▼II. THE HIGH ADVENTURE OF THE HELMET OF MAMBRINO, AND 

HOW DON QUIXOTE SET FREE A GANG OF PRISONERS - 68 


Vll 


Contents 

CHAPTER PAGE 

VIII. WHAT HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE IN THE BLACK MOUNTAIN, 

AND HOW HE MET THE RAGGED GENTLEMAN, CARDENIO 78 

IX. THE STORY OF CARDENIO, AND HOW DON QUIXOTE SENT A 
LETTER TO THE LADY DULCINEA OF TORBOSO FROM THE 
BLACK MOUNTAIN - - - - - 89 

X. HOW THE PRIEST AND THE BARBER MADE A PLAN BY WHICH 

DON QUIXOTE MIGHT BE FREED FROM HIS PENANCE - lOI 

XI. THE STORY OF DOROTHEA, AND HOW DON QUIXOTE 

PROMISED TO ASSIST A DAMSEL-ERRANT - - III 

XII. THE PRINCESS MICOMICONA TELLS HER STORY, AND SOME 

STRANGE INCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED AT THE INN - I 2 I 

XIII. SOME PLEASANT ADVENTURES AT THE INN, AND THE STORY 

OF THE CHRISTIAN SLAVE AND ZORAIDA, THE BEAUTIFUL 
ALGERIAN - - - - - -I34 

XIV. CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF THE CHRISTIAN SLAVE AND 

ZORAIDA, THE BEAUTIFUL ALGERIAN - - - 144 

XV. THE STORY OF SOME STRANGE AND UNHEARD-OF ADVENTURES 
THAT HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE AT THE INN WHICH HE 
BELIEVED TO BE A CASTLE - - - - 1 52 

XVI. THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT THE HELMET OF MAMBRINO, AND 
HOW DON QUIXOTE WAS ARRESTED BY AN OFFICER OF THE 
LAW - .- - - - - - 160 

XVII. THE STORY OF DON QUIXOTE’s ENCHANTMENT, TOGETHER 
WITH THE RARE ADVENTURE OF THE PROCESSION OF 
PILGRIMS ------ 

XVIII. HOW DON QUIXOTE BECAME ACQUAINTED WITH THE 

SCHOLAR, CARRASCO, AND STARTED OFF ONCE MORE ON A 
JOURNEY IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURES, TOGETHER WITH AN 
ACCOUNT OF HIS VISIT TO THE CITY OF TORBOSO - 1 76 

XIX. HOW SANCHO PANZA FOUND A WAY TO ENCHANT THE LADY 
DULCINEA OF TORBOSO, TOGETHER WITH THE STUPENDOUS 
ADVENTURE OF THE PLAY-ACTORS - - - 1 87 

XX. THE VALIANT DON QUIXOTE’s STRANGE ADVENTURE WITH THE 

BOLD KNIGHT OF THE MIRRORS • - - - I98 

XXI. AN ACCOUNT OF THE INCREDIBLE VALOUR OF DON QUIXOTE, 

WITH THE SUCCESSFUL ISSUE OF THE ADVENTURE OF THE 
LIONS 207 


VI U 


Contents 

CHAPTER PAGE 

XXII. AN ACCOUNT OF THE GREAT ADVENTURE OF MONTESINOS’ 

CAVE, AND THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT DON QUIXOTE 
DECLARED THAT HE SAW THERE - ' - - 215 

XXm. AN ACCOUNT OF THE BRAYING ADVENTURE, THAT OF THE 
PUPPET-PLAYER, AND THE WONDERFUL DIVINING OF THE 
FORTUNE-TELLING APE _ _ _ _ 224 

XXIV. THE FAMOUS ADVENTURE OF THE ENCHANTED BARK, TO- 
GETHER WITH AN ACCOUNT OF HOW DON QUIXOTE AND 
SANCHO PANZA ARRIVED AT THE DUKe’s CASTLE - 235 

XXV. THE AMAZING AND WONDERFUL ADVENTURE OF THE DIS- 
CONSOLATE LADY - - - - _ 246 

XXVI. HOW THE GREAT SANCHO PANZA TOOK POSSESSION OF HIS 
ISLAND, IN WHAT MANNER HE RULED, AND THE TOILSOME 
END AND CONCLUSION OF HIS GOVERNMENT - - 258 

XXVII. HOW DON QUIXOTE AND SANCHO PANZA LEFT THE DUKe’s 
CASTLE, TOGETHER WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE ADVENTURES 
OF THE NETS AND OF THE WILD BULLS - - 27O 

XXVIII. AN ACCOUNT OF THE ADVENTURES OF DON QUIXOTE ON THE 

ROAD TO BARCELONA - - - - 28 1 

XXIX. AN ACCOUNT OF THE UNLUCKY COMBAT BETWEEN DON 
QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA AND THE KNIGHT OF THE WHITE 
MOON ______ 289 

XXX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE HOGS, AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE 
DISENCHANTING OF THE LADY DULCINEA DEL TORBOSO BY 
SANCHO PANZA _____ 298 

XXXI. THE HOME-COMING OF THE VALIANT KNIGHT, DON QUIXOTE 

DE LA MANCHA _____ ^oS 


IX 






Frontispiece — The knight and his horse were hurled violently 
to the ground 

I'AGB 

Heading to Contents - - - - - - vii 

Heading to List of Illustrations - - - - xi 

Senor Quesada resolved that she should be his lady and the queen 

of his heart ' ‘ - - - - - - 4 

He began to thrash the knight soundly - - - 13 

He invited one of his neighbours, a good, honest, foolish man - 18 

They started off once more on their travels - - - 23 

He lifted]his weapon with both hands - - - - 27 

It was Marcella herself - - - - - 39 

Don Quixote tried his best to climb over the wall - - 49 

He called to him to, yield on pain of instant death - - 58 

He held his sides and rocked backwards and forwards in his mirth 66 

Riding peacefully alpng the road - - - - 71 

Thus the ass, Rosinante, Sancho Panza, and Don Quixote were 

left alone - - - - - - "77 

His master was trying, with the point of his lance, to pick up 

something - - - - - - 8l 


XI 


Illustrations 


After which he mounted Rosinante and rode away 
He thought it best to tell everything - - - - 

The barber cut a fine figure in a cloth gown - - - 

“ Stop, Madam,” exclaimed the priest _ _ _ 

Sancho flung his arms round its neck - - - - 

With him rode a woman in Moorish dress - _ _ 

We set him ashore on the coast of his own country 
He was left hanging in mid air - _ _ _ 

“ Sir Knight of the Doleful Countenance,” she said 
Then the strange procession started - - - _ 

They found him sitting up in bed - - _ _ 

The Lady Dulcinea, attended by two of her damsels 
This so frightened Rosinante that he pranced and capered 
He was seen to be an amazing fellow - - - - 

He thrust his head out of the cage - - _ _ 

His eyes were closed and he appeared to be asleep 
The ape skipped on to its master’s shoulders - - - 

“ Is not this master of yours the same renowned Don Quixote ?” 
“ I never rode so easily in all my life ” - 

He was so happy that he would not have changed places with the 
Emperor of Germany _ _ _ _ _ 

“ You see the five caps 

The two shared their food ----- 
He lifted up his voice and cried, “ I conjure thee to tell me who 
thou art ” 

“ Well, master, every man to his taste,” retorted Sancho 
The injured knight was put into a chair - - - 

At last the tender-hearted knight could bear it no longer 
“ Why, mercy on us ! husband,” she cried - - - 

“ Whatever madness is this ?” cried the niece - - - 


PAGE 

100 

103 

106 

112 

125 

139 

150 

158 

165 

171 

177 

189 

195 

203 

212 

218 

228 

239 

255. 

259 

263 

271 

273 

282 

293 

303 

308 

310^ 


xii 


The 

History of Don Quixote 

CHAPTER I 

The famous Don Quixote de la Mancha. His first 
adventure, and how he was dubbed Jznight by an 
innkeeper."^^ 

O NCE upon a time, not so very long ago, there 
lived in Spain, in the province of La Mancha, 
an old-fashioned gentleman whose chief 
worldly possessions were a sword, an ancient shield, 
a lean horse, and a hound. He was poor, and lived 
frugally, having beef more often than mutton, no 
meat at all on Fridays, and sometimes a pigeon as 
a treat for his Sunday dinner. On this simple fare 
nearly three-quarters of his income was spent, and the 
rest went to buy a fine velvet coat, breeches, and 
slippers for holidays, and a suit of good homespun for 
everyday wear. 

The family consisted of a niece twenty years old, 
a housekeeper double that age, and a man-servant 
who was valet, groom, and gardener all in one. 

The gentleman himself was nearly fifty, a thin man, 
but active and fond of hunting. His name was 
either Quexada or Quesada, it does not matter which, 
and he was nicknamed Quesana, or lantern jaws. 

I 


A 


The History of Don Quixote 

Now, whenever Senor Quexada had nothing to do — 
and that was almost always — he used to spend his time 
reading books on knight-errantry, and at last he be- 
came so devoted to these romances that he gave up 
all his outdoor sports, and even sold part of his estate, 
that he might have money with which to buy more 
books. He often read all day and far into the night, 
so that the heroes of his wonderful fairy stories 
became real to him, and he would gravely talk to his 
friends, the parish priest and Master Nicholas, the 
barber, about Sir Palmerin of England, Sir Amadis 
of Gaul, and the Knight of the Burning Sword 
who slew two fierce and mighty giants with a single 
blow. 

As time went on, and he read more and more 
romances, Senor Quexada’s mind became disordered. 
He fancied that he himself was destined to be a 
knight-errant, and to ride out into the world that 
he might right wrongs and seek adventures. It 
seemed to him that by doing great deeds he would 
win fame and glory, and, putting aside his beloved 
books, he began to make preparations for a journey. 
A knight-errant, of course, must have armour, so 
Quexada got out of a corner an old suit which had 
belonged to his great-grandfather and polished it care- 
fully. When it was cleaned and repaired, he found 
that part of the helmet was missing, but, not dis- 
couraged by such a trifle, he set to work and made a 
visor out of pasteboard. It looked well; but when he 
tried its strength with his sword, the labour of a week 
was destroyed in a moment. 


Don Quixote is clubbed Knight 

A new visor had now to be made, and this one was 
lined with thin plates of iron. The appearance was 
excellent, but our hero thought it best not to test 
it again. 

Senor Quexada now went to the stable to inspect 
his horse, which, although so thin that all its bones 
stuck out, must needs serve his purpose. He deter- 
mined to give it a high-sounding name fitted to the 
steed of a valiant knight, and at last, after four days’ 
consideration, he fixed upon the title of Rosinante. 

The next thing to be done was to choose a new name 
for himself, and another eight days was devoted to 
this important matter. At the end of that time he 
decided to call himself Don Quixote de la Mancha. 

And now, his armour being polished, and both 
he and his horse provided with names, nothing 
remained for the new knight-errant to do but to 
choose a lady, for whose sake his great deeds should be 
done, and to whom the trophies of combat and ad- 
venture could be brought. Not far from his home 
there lived a homely country girl, called Aldonza 
Lorenzo, and at last, although he hardly knew her, 
Senor Quexada resolved that she should be his lady 
and the queen of his heart. With this idea, and as 
her own did not seem grand enough, he bestowed 
upon Aldonza the name of Dulcinea del Torboso. 

All his preparations were now made; so early one 
morning in the middle of July, Senor Quexada — or 
Don Quixote, as we will now call him — got up very 
quietly, dressed himself in his armour, put on his 
home-made helmet, grasped his lance, mounted his 
3 


The History of Don Quixote 

horse, and rode out, through the back gate of his 
stable-yard, in search of adventure. 

He was delighted with the success and the secrecy 
of his departure, but, before he had gone far, a terrible 
thought flashed into his mind. Here he was, starting 
out on a great enterprise, and he had not yet even 
been made a knight ! According to all the laws of 



Senor (StuesaDa rcsolvcD that 6be eboulb be b(6 lab^ 
anb tbe queen of bio beart’^ 


chivalry he had no right to encounter any true knight 
in combat, nor even to wear armour himself at all. 

For a little while the poor gentleman was over- 
come with horror, and thought of giving up his great 
undertaking, but before long he changed his mind and 
resolved that instead he would ask the first warrior 
whom he met to bestow upon him the honour of 
knighthood. Many of his favourite heroes of romance 
had done the like; so, comforted with these reflections, 
4 


Don Quixote is dubbed Knight 

Don Quixote rode on happily, thinking of his lady, 
Dulcinea, and [of [his coming adventures. 

It was a very hot morning, and the rays of the sun 
were so powerful that they might have melted his 
brains — if he had had any left. 

That day passed without any incident, and as 
evening came on Don Quixote began to feel very tired 
and hungry. He looked about, hoping to find some 
castle where he might spend the night, and at last he 
caught sight of a building by the side of the road. 
It was only an inn, but to our hero’s eyes it seemed 
a lordly mansion with towers, pinnacles, a moat, draw- 
bridge, and everything complete. Two young women 
were standing at the inn door, and these he took to be 
beautiful and high-born ladies, so he rode up and, 
raising his visor, bid them not be afraid as he only 
wished to do them service. The girls, more amused 
than alarmed at this strange greeting, could hardly 
conceal their laughter, and the innkeeper, who now 
appeared upon the scene, was also filled with mirth* 
He, however, being a fat, kindly man, determined to 
humour his extraordinary guest, and calling him 
“ Sir Knight,” he bade him dismount and enter the 
inn, although, he said, all the rooms were occupied, 
and he could not provide a bed. 

‘‘ Senor Castellano,” replied Don Quixote, “ arms 
are the only thing I value, and combat is my bed of 
repose.” He then alighted very stiffly from his horse, 
and going into the house, prepared to take off his 
armour. 

A new difficulty now presented itself, for the visor 

5 


The History of Don Quixote 

of the helmet was tied so tightly with green ribbons 
that it could not be removed, although the two girls, 
who had followed the knight into the inn, did their 
best to help. Don Quixote refused stoutly to allow 
the ribbons to be cut, so he was obliged to keep his 
helmet on all night. When supper- time came he 
would have fared badly if the women had not fed him, 
while the host bored a hole in a cane and poured wine 
through it down his throat. 

After the meal was over — and it was a poor one, 
for the food was coarse and ill-cooked — Don Quixote 
called the innkeeper into the stable, and there, 
throwing himself upon his knees, begged the man 
to bestow upon him the honour of knighthood. ‘‘ This 
evening. I will watch by my armour,” he said, “ and 
to-morrow you shall dub me knight, so that I may 
ride out to seek adventures and to relieve those who 
are in distress, according to the laws of chivalry.” 

The innkeeper was quite taken aback, but sus- 
pecting that the man was mad, and amused by his 
strange antics, promised to carry out his wishes. He 
explained that there was no chapel where the knight 
could keep vigil, but that, if he wished, he could watch 
by his arms in the court of the castle — that is to say, 
in the inn stable-yard — and in the morning all necessary 
ceremonies should be performed. He then went on 
to ask Don Quixote whether he had any money. 

‘‘ Not a penny,” answered the gentleman, some- 
what surprised; “indeed, I have never heard that 
knights-errant carry any money with them.” 

“Ah! that is wrong,” replied the innkeeper; 

6 


Don Quixote is dubbed Knight 

‘‘ although the histories may be silent, nevertheless 
knights must be provided with money, which their 
squires usually carry, and also with clean shirts and 
other necessaries, such as ointments with which their 
wounds may be healed. I therefore advise you never 
to ride out again without money, which you often 
will find very useful when you least expect it.” 

Don Quixote promised to remember this counsel, 
and then arrangements were made for him to watch 
by his arms in the great yard of the inn. There was 
a horse-trough in the yard near the well, and against 
this the armour was placed. Then, with lance in hand 
and shield on arm, the knight began to walk up and 
down in a stately manner. 

The innkeeper, meanwhile, thinking it all a good 
joke, had told everyone in the house about Don Quixote : 
how he was keeping vigil and how he wished to be 
dubbed a knight. The people were much amused, 
and they went out to watch the stranger, for it was 
moonlight, and he could be seen clearly, now lean- 
ing upon his lance, and now gravely marching to 
and fro. 

After a time a carrier, who was lodging at the inn, 
came out to water his mules, and this he could not do 
without removing the arms from the trough. Don 
Quixote saw him approaching, and called to him saying : 
‘‘ Oh, rash knight, take heed before you dare to lay 
your hands on the armour of the bravest knight that 
ever wore a sword j if you touch it, instant death 
shall be your punishment.” 

The muleteer took no notice of this dreadful 
7 


The History of Don Quixote 

threat, but, taking the armour from the trough, 
flung it carelessly to one side. 

Don Quixote now called upon the name of his 
lady Dulcinea, and lifting his lance with both hands, 
he struck the man such a blow that he fell to the ground 
unconscious. He then replaced the arms and once 
more began to pace quietly up and down. 

After a short time another carrier appeared, and he, 
not knowing what had happened, also began to remove 
the arms. This time Don Quixote gave no warning, 
but lifting up his lance once more, brought it down 
so heavily that the fellow’s head was broken in three 
or four places. 

There was now a tremendous uproar. Everyone 
came running out of the house, and other muleteers, 
although they were afraid to draw near, pelted the 
knight with stones. The host shouted to them to 
leave the mad stranger alone, and Don Quixote himself 
added to the noise and confusion by calling out in a 
loud voice that all the carriers were treacherous 
knaves and the innkeeper a base and discourteous 
knight. At last peace was restored, the muleteers 
carried away their wounded comrades, and the knight 
returned to his interrupted vigil. 

The innkeeper now thought that it would be well 
to get the business over, and by dubbing Don Quixote 
knight prevent any further trouble; so he went to the 
gentleman at the horse-trough, and said that as he had 
already watched his arm.our for four hours, there was no 
reason why he should not receive the honour of knight- 
hood at once. 


8 


Don Quixote is dubbed Knight 

Don Quixote agreed, and then the mock ceremony 
took place. The innkeeper brought out the book in 
which he kept his accounts of straw and barley, and 
bidding the would-be knight kneel before him, he 
read aloud while a stable-boy held aloft a piece of 
lighted candle. The two girls were there, and wTen 
the innkeeper had struck Don Quixote on the shoulder 
with his sword, he ordered one of them to gird the 
weapon round his waist. The girl found it very 
difficult to hide her laughter, but she obeyed, girded 
on the sword and wished the knight good luck. 

Don Quixote thanked the young woman gravely 
for the favour she had done him and asked her to tell 
him her name. She replied that she was called 
Torlosa, and that her father was a cobbler in Toledo. 

The knight thereupon begged her to take the title 
of Lady, and for his sake to style herself the I^ady 
Torboso. He then turned to the other girl, who had 
buckled on his spurs, and when he heard that she was 
a miller’s daughter, he bestowed upon her the name of 
the Lady Miller. 

The ceremonies were now at an end, and Don 
Quixote was eager to start oif on his travels in quest of 
adventures, so, having saddled Rosinante, he mounted 
and bade farewell to his friends. The innkeeper 
was so glad to see his strange guest depart that he did 
not even demand payment for board and lodging. 


9 


CHAPTER II 


‘‘ What haffened to Don Quixote after he left the inn. 
His second sally in search of adventures."^^ 

I T was early morning when Don Quixote rode away 
from the inn, and he was so delighted to find him- 
self, as he believed, really a knight that even the 
old horse, Rosinante, seemed to share his joy and 
trotted along gaily. 

They were going now in the direction of home, 
for Don Quixote, remembering the advice of the inn- 
keeper, had resolved to provide himself with money, 
a squire, clean shirts, and other necessaries, before 
setting out again on his travels. 

They had not gone very far when the sound of 
what seemed to be a woman’s voice was heard coming 
from some woods on the right. The knight turned 
and rode quickly in that direction, thinking that this 
was an adventure at last, and when he reached the 
thicket he found a young boy tied to a tree and 
being soundly whipped by a sturdy countryman. 

There ! Rascal,” the man shouted, between the 
blows, “ you will remember to keep your mouth shut 
and your eyes open for the future.” 

Don Quixote spurred his horse forward, crying: 
“ Discourteous knight ! It is unworthy to strike 
one who cannot defend himself. Come, take your 
10 


Quixote in Search of Adventures 

lance and mount your steed,” he pointed to a horse 
that was tethered to a tree near at hand, ‘‘ and I will 
show you what a coward you are.” 

The countryman was terrified at the sight of the 
strange, armoured figure who brandished a lance 
in his face, and he at once began to make excuses: 

Sir Knight, this boy is my shepherd,” he said in a 
humble voice, “ but he is so careless that every day 
some of the sheep are missing; and now, because 1 
punish him, he declares that I do it to cheat him out 
of his wages.” 

What !” cried Don Quixote, ‘‘ I have a good 
mind to run you through the body with my lance. 
Pay the boy this instant and release him.” 

The man without another word obeyed, and un- 
bound the captive, who, on being questioned, said 
that he was owed nine months’ wages, the sum amount- 
ing in all to sixty- three crowns. 

The farmer was then commanded to pay the money, 
and this he promised to do, although he declared that 
he did not owe so much. 

The worst of it is. Sir Knight,” he added, ‘‘ that 
1 have no money with me, but if the boy, Andrew, will 
accompany me home, he shall have every penny.” 

It was now the boy’s turn to be frightened. 
“ What ! Go home with him ?” he cried. “ I know 
better than to do that. Why, he would half kill 
me.” 

Don Quixote, however, refused to believe that the 
countryman would be guilty of such perfidy, and he 
assured the boy that as his master had promised to 

II 


The History of Don Quixote 

pay he would be quite safe. Then, turning to the 
other, he said in his most lordly manner : “ Remember 
that I am the valiant Don Quixote de la Mancha, the 
Righter of Wrongs and the Redresser of Grievances, 
and if you fail to keep your word, I will return and 
punish you as you deserve.” 

With this he set spurs to his horse and rode away, 
and, as soon as he was fairly out of sight, the farmer 
caught Andrew, tied him to the tree again, and beat 
him more cruelly than ever. 

Don Quixote, meanwhile, went on his way rejoicing 
at the success of his first enterprise, and he had not 
gone more than two miles when he encountered a 
party of merchants from Toledo. Here was another 
adventure, he told himself, so, advancing to the middle 
of the road, he called upon the travellers to stop. 

‘‘ Halt !” he cried. Let all men stand and go no 
further until they have confessed that the Lady Dul 
cinea is the most beautiful maiden in the whole world.” 

The company, of whom there were six, besides 
servants, stopped. They guessed that the poor 
gentleman was crazy, and, being amused with him 
and his strange disguise, one of the company began to 
parley. ‘‘ Senor,” he said, we do not even know 
the lady of whom you speak. Show her to us, and 
if she is as fair as you say, we will gladly acknowledge 
her to be the Queen of Beauty.” 

This did not satisfy Don Quixote in the least, 
and he became so furious that, couching his spear, 
he attacked the speaker, and might have killed him 
had not Rosinante stumbled and thrown him heavily 
12 


Quixote in Search of Adventures 

to the ground. He lay there helpless, encumbered 
with the weight of his armour and unable to rise. 

One of the servants then ran forward, and snatch- 
ing up Don Quixote’s lance he broke it, and with one 
of the pieces began to thrash the knight soundly. 
Indeed, he did not leave off until he was exhausted, 
and then the merchants started off once more on their 
journey. 



1be began to tbrasb tbe bnfgbt 6ounbl^/' 


Don Quixote, thus left behind, tried once more to 
struggle to his feet, but this he found to be impossible, 
for he was bruised and sore from head to heel. How- 
ever, even now he did not despair, but congratulated 
himself that his fall was due to his horse, and not to 
any fault of his own. He then amused himself with 
thinking about the valiant deeds of the heroes of 

13 


The History of Don Quixote 

romance and with repeating aloud long passages 
from some of his favourite books. 

After a time, as luck would have it, a ploughman 
from Don Quixote’s own village came hy, leading an 
ass. To his amazement, he saw a man, clad in armour, 
lying full length in the middle of the road, and talking 
what seemed to be nonsense. He hurried to the assist- 
ance of the prostrate warrior, and, having removed 
the battered helmet, recognised the face of his neigh- 
bour. 

“ Master Quexada !” he cried, ‘‘ how come you 
here, in this plight ?” 

The other made no answer, but rambled on with 
his fairy stories, and then the ploughman set to work, 
and with great difficulty managed to get him on to the 
back of the ass. This done, he collected the scattered 
arms, not forgetting the fragments of the lance, and 
having laid these on Rosinante, he started off along 
the road, leading the horse by the bridle, and the ass 
by the halter. 

The village was reached about sunset, but the 
kindly ploughman stayed on the outskirts until night- 
fall, so that the neighbours might not see the poor 
gentleman in such a sorry state; and, when at last the 
little cavalcade arrived at Don Quixote’s house, they 
found the priest and the barber both there talking 
to the housekeeper, who was telling them how her 
master, his horse, his lance and his shield had all 
disappeared. 

It is my belief,” she declared, that those 
wretched books of his have made him think that he is a 


Quixote in Search of Adventures 

knight-errant himself, and that he has gone away to 
ride up and down the world in search of adventures.” 

Don Quixote’s niece agreed with this opinion, and 
she related how her uncle would often read for hours 
at a time, and then would slash at the walls of the room 
with his sword and declare that he was slaying giants. 

“ It is all the fault of the books,” she added, 
and they deserve to be burnt.” 

At this moment they heard the ploughman at 
the door, shouting for it to be opened. They ran 
out, and there was Don Quixote himself, not yet 
alighted from the ass. 

“ Carry me to bed,” muttered the injured man, 
when he saw his friends crowding round him, for 
I am sorely hurt, and let the sorceress, Urganda, be 
summoned to heal my wounds.” 

“ There, you see I was right,” cried the house- 
keeper, when she heard this foolish talk; his wicked 
fairy stories have driven him crazy.” 

So Don Quixote was carried to bed, arid while his 
friends were searching for his wounds, he told them 
that he had been thrown from his horse, Rosinante, 
while engaged in combat with ten giants. 

Oh, so there were giants too, then !” exclaimed 
the priest, whose name was Doctor Perez. “Then my 
mind is made up. Those dangerous books of his shall 
all be destroyed to-morrow.” 

The next day, therefore, while Don Quixote was 
still asleep, the two friends arrived and asked for the 
key of the room where the books were kept. This 
was brought, and then, accompanied by the house- 

15 


The History of Don Quixote 

keeper and the niece, they entered the library. There 
were more than a hundred large volumes, besides many 
little ones, and when she saw them the housekeeper 
begged the priest to sprinkle them with holy water, 
for she was quite certain that the apartment must 
be full of magic. 

The good priest could not help smiling at this 
foolishness, and he bade the barber bring out the books 
one by one, so that he might examine them and decide 
which deserved to be destroyed. 

‘‘Oh! spare none of them, sir,” cried the niece; 
“ they have all helped to drive my poor uncle out of 
his wits. I think that we had better throw them out 
of the window and make a bonfire in the yard.” 

The housekeeper also urged that this should be 
done, but Doctor Perez would not consent to such a 
wholesale destruction, and said that he must at least 
glance at the title-page of every volume. 

And so the books were brought out, and some were 
spared, while others were thrown out of the window. 
“ Amadis of Gaul,” “ Florismarte of Hyrcania,” 
“ The Mirror of Knighthood,” “ Palmerin of England” : 
all the books ever written on the subject of knight- 
errantry seemed to be there, and the two men found 
their task a long and arduous one. 

They had not finished it when Don Quixote was 
heard talking to himself in a loud voice. They 
hurried away to see what was the matter, and on their 
return found that the housekeeper and niece had flung 
many more of the books out of the window into the 
yard. That night the whole collection was burnt: 

i6 


Quixote in Search of Adventures 

It now remained to explain the loss of his library 
to Don Quixote, and this was managed very cleverly. 
Two days later the knight got up again, and his first 
wish was to visit his beloved books, but, to his surprise, 
he found that the door of his study had been blocked 
up. He summoned the housekeeper, and she, having 
been instructed what to say, declared that a powerful 
magician had come one night, mounted on a dragon, 
and had carried away not only the books, but the study 
itself. 

The niece upheld the truth of this extraordinary 
story, and Don Quixote had no difficulty in believ- 
ing it. 

For fifteen days after that our hero remained quietly 
at home, but during the time many preparations were 
made for another journey. 

He invited one of his neighbours, a good, honest, 
foolish man, to go with him as his squire, saying that 
if he went he should have great rewards and perhaps 
be made the governor of a treasure island. 

Tempted by the promises the man — Sancho Panza 
was his name — agreed to leave his family and to 
accompany the knight. 

A squire having thus been engaged, Don Quixote 
managed to obtain a fairly large sum of money by 
selling more of his land — at a loss — and then, having 
bought some new shirts, borrowed a shield from a 
friend and patched up his broken helmet, it only 
remained to fix the day and hour for departure. 
This was soon done, and one morning, very early, 
before it was hot, they started off, Sancho Panza 
17 B 


The History of Don Quixote 

riding upon a donkey and carrying a leather bottle of 
wine and a large canvas knapsack. . 

As the pair rode along they talked of their coming 
adventures, and Sancho Panza was very anxious to 
hear all about the island of which he was to be 
ruler. 

‘‘ I beseech you not to forget your promise, 



*‘1be invitet) one of bis neigbboure, a Qoob, boneet, 
foolisb man/' 


master,” he said, and then Don Quixote declared 
that the squire might become not merely a governor, 
but a king. 

“ Why, if I were a king,” said Sancho Panza, ‘‘ my 
wife, Mary, would be a queen, and all my children 
princes and princesses.” 

“ Who doubts that ?” said Don Quixote grandly. 

“ I doubt it,” was the man’s reply, “ for even if it 

i8 


Quixote in Search of Adventures 

were to rain crowns I am quite certain that none of 
them would fit my Mary’s head.” 

While they were thus talking, forty or fifty windmills 
appeared in the distance, and these Don Quixote 
imagined to be a number of fierce giants whom it was 
his duty to encounter. 

Why, where are the giants ?” asked Sancho Panza. 

‘‘ There !” cried the knight; ‘‘ can’t you see them, 
with their long arms stretched out towards us ?” 

“ Those are no giants,” said Sancho Panza scorn- 
fully, “ they are only windmills, with their .sails 
whirling in the breeze.” 

“ Windmills !” said Don Quixote; “ you certainly 
know nothing of adventure. But, if you are afraid, 
stand aside, for I am determined to fight them all.” 
He then set spurs to Rosinante and, entirely disregard- 
ing the servant, who shouted to him to stop, rode 
forward. 

‘‘ Halt, cowards !” he cried, as the sails of the 
windmills began to move more quickly. Base mis- 
creants, although you have more arms than the giant 
Briareus, you shall pay dearly for your arrogance.” 

With this he recommended himself to his liege 
lady Dulcinea, and, couching his lance, charged the 
nearest windmill with^great fury. The lance pierced 
the sail, the wind increased, the sail swung round, the 
lance was broken, and both the knight and his horse 
were hurled violently to the ground. 

Sancho Panza hurried to the scene of the disaster. 
“ Mercy on us !” he cried, “ did I not tell you that 
they were nothing but windmills ?” 

19 


The History of Don Quixote 

“Peace, my friend,” said the fallen knight; “it is 
only the fortune of war. The giants were transformed 
into windmills by the great enchanter, Friston, so 
that I might be deprived of the honour of victory. 
He is the same magician who carried away my books 
and my study, but, in the end, my sword will prevail 
against him.” 

“ Amen to that,” said Sancho Panza, and then he 
dragged his master to his feet and hoisted him up on to 
poor Rosinante’s back. 


20 


CHAPTER III 


How Don Quixote fought a combat with 
• a gentleman from Biscay y 

D on QUIXOTE and his servant, Sancho Panza, 
talked together about the encounter with the 
windmills as they rode on in the direction of the 
Pass of Lapice. This road had been chosen because 
it was much frequented by travellers, and therefore 
would probably provide many adventures. 

The knight was much troubled by the loss of his 
lance, but he intended to replace it as soon as possible. 
‘‘ I have read,” he said to his squire, “ that a certain 
Spanish warrior, Diego Perez de Vargas, having broken 
his sword in a battle with the Moors, pulled up a 
large oak-tree by the roots — or at least broke off a 
thick bough — and used this weapon with such success 
that he was surnamed The Smiter I myself, there- 
fore, mean to tear up the next oak-tree that we see.” 

‘‘ Heaven grant that you may,” answered Sancho 
Panza; ‘‘ I believe you. In the meantime, try to 
sit a little more upright in your saddle, but perhaps 
it is your bruises that make you crooked.” 

‘‘It is,” said Don Quixote, “but a knight-errant 
must never complain of his wounds, however painful 
they may be.” 


21 


The History of Don Quixote 

Then I have no more to say,” remarked Sancho. 
‘‘ However, I hope that the same rule does not apply 
to squires, for I always cry out directly I am hurt.” 
He then asked his master if it was not nearly dinner- 
time. 

‘‘ Eat when you please,” was the reply, ‘‘ but for 
myself, I am not hungry;” so the squire brought food 
out of his wallet, opened the wine-bottle, and made 
a hearty meal. 

The adventurers spent that night under some trees, 
from one of which Don Quixote tore down a withered 
branch to serve as a shaft for his broken lance. He 
did not sleep at all, but passed the hours thinking of his 
lady, the fair Dulcinea, after the manner of knights- 
errant, but Sancho Panza slept very soundly. Very 
early in the morning they started off once more on 
their travels. 

The Pass of Lapice was reached at about three 
o’clock. They paused at the entrance, and Don 
Quixote turned to his servant gravely. ‘‘ Brother 
Sancho,” he said, here we shall most certainly 
have our fill of adventures, but let me give you a word 
of warning. Even if you see me in the greatest danger, 
do not come to my assistance unless it happens that 
I am attacked by plebeians. If I am fighting knights, 
the laws of chivalry forbid you to engage in combat 
with them, as you are not a knight yourself.” 

“ Have no fear,” said Sancho Panza, for 1 am a 
peace-loving man, and do not care to thrust myself 
into quarrels nor to receive blows at anyone’s hand; 
but supposing, sir, that a knight sets upon me, I 
22 


Don Quixote fights a Combat 

fancy that I shall not then obey the laws of chivalry, 
for every man may defend himself.” 

I agree to that,” answered Don Quixote, “ so 
that you do not assault knights on my behalf.” 



starteD off once more on tbeir tjavels.” 


While they were discussing this question, two monks 
rode towards them mounted on mules so large that 
they might have been mistaken for camels. The men 
wore riding-masks to protect them from the dust, 
and carried umbrellas. 


23 


The History of Don Quixote 

A little behind was a coach accompanied by four 
or five men on horseback and some servants. 

The occupant of the coach was a lady from North 
Spain, who was going to join her husband in Seville, 

Scarcely had Don Quixote caught sight of the 
monks — who were not of the same party as the others, 
although all were going in one direction — than he 
made up his mind that here was a great adventure. 

‘‘ You see those two figures in black,” he said, 
pointing to the monks; ‘‘unless I am much mistaken 
they are wizards, and in the coach is some princess that 
they are carrying away by force. It is clearly my duty 
to rescue her.” 

“ This will be a worse job even than the windmills,” 
said Sancho. “ Don’t you see, sir, that they are 
Benedictines, and most likely the coach belongs to the 
people who are travelling in it.” 

“ Sancho,” was the answer, “ I have already told 
you that you are sadly ignorant of adventures. It is 
as I say, and you will soon see that I am right.” 

With this he rode forward, and, standing in the 
middle of the road, barred the way so that the monks 
could not pass. 

“ Villainous magicians,” he cried, “ if you do not 
instantly release the beautiful princess, your captive, 
I will slay you both.” 

The monks stopped, amazed at the appearance of 
the knight and at his strange words. 

“ Sir,” one of them said, “ you are mistaken. We 
are churchmen, belonging to the Order of St. Benedict, 
and we know nothing about any princess.” 

24 


Don Quixote fights a Combat 

Your fair words do not deceive me,” cried Don 
Quixote, and then, spurring his horse, he charged 
forward, and would have killed or severely wounded the 
monk if the latter had not prudently flung himself 
from his mule to the ground. The other Benedictine, 
perceiving how his companion had been treated, 
turned, and, urging on his animal, ran away as fast as 
he could. 

Sancho Panza, meanwhile, seeing the one monk 
lying on the ground, jumped nimbly off his ass, and, 
running up, began to search and strip him, protesting, 
when questioned by the muleteers, that he was only 
taking the lawful plunder won by his master in battle. 
The servants, however, not understanding this talk 
of plunder and battle, and seeing that Don Quixote 
was some way off by the coach, fell upon poor Sancho, 
threw him down, and gave him a good thrashing. 

Don Quixote, as I have said, was standing by the 
coach, and he now addressed himself to its occupant. 

Lady,” he began, my strong arm has delivered 
you from your captors, and, as you may wish to know 
the name of your deliverer, let me inform you that I 
am Don Quixote de la Mancha, by profession a knight- 
errant; and that my liege lady is the peerless and 
beautiful Donna Dulcinea del Torboso. It is for her 
sake that I have befriended you, and the only recom- 
pense that I desire is that you should go to her and 
relate what T have done.” 

The lady’s squire, a gentleman from the province 
of Biscay, listened to this extraordinary speech, and, 
understanding that Don Quixote had not only stopped 

25 


The History of Don Quixote 

the coach, but now wished to send it back to Torboso, 
he interfered, and coming up to the knight, bade him 
begone, saying in very bad Spanish, If you do not 
leave the coach, I will kill you, as surely as I am a 
Biscayan.” 

Don Quixote, not at all discomfited, replied 
calmly in these words: 

‘‘ If you were a gentleman, which you are not, I 
would punish you for your insolence.” 

‘‘ What ! Me not a gentleman 1” cried the other. 
“ Throw away your lance, sir, take your sword, and 
I will show you what I am.” Don Quixote at this 
drew his sword, grasped his shield, and rushed straight- 
way upon his new foe, who only had time to snatch 
up a cushion from the coach to serve him as a target. 
A tremendous combat ensued, and although the 
bystanders did all they could to make peace, it was in 
vain. Now one adversary got in a blow, now the other, 
and all the time Don Quixote called loudly upon the 
name of his lady, the fair Dulcinea. The other dame, 
meanwhile, on whose account the fray had begun, 
made her servants drive the coach out of harm’s way 
and watched the battle from a safe distance; while 
Sancho Panza, holding his ass by the halter, was also 
among the spectators, all filled with amazement and 
fear at the fury of the two antagonists. 

For some time the battle raged, and Don Quixote 
received a fearful blow, which injured his helmet and 
cut off part of his ear. It would, indeed, most likely 
have put an end to all his adventures, if the Biscayan’s 
sword had not happened to turn in his hand. This 
26 



[ 


** Ibe UfteD bis weapon witb both banOs/' 








Don Quixote fights a Combat 

narrow escape infuriated the knight of La Mancha 
to such a pitch that, rising in his stirrups, he lifted his 
weapon with both hands and brought it down with 
such terrible force on his enemy’s head that the man 
was stunned, swayed in his saddle, and then fell to 
the ground. 

Don Quixote thereupon dismounted, and, standing 
over his fallen adversary, set the point of his sword 
against his neck and commanded him to yield himself 
on pain of instant death. 

The Biscayan was too dazed to reply, but the lady, 
alighting from her coach, hurried forward and begged 
for the man’s life to be spared. 

“Truly, gentle lady, I will grant your request,” 
said the victor, “ but only on one condition, and that 
is that this knight gives me his word of honour that 
he will go and surrender himself into the hands of the 
fair Dulcinea, so that she may do with him whatever 
she pleases.” 

The lady, too frightened to refuse, promised every- 
thing, and Don Quixote declared that he was satisfied. 

Sancho Panza, having somewhat recovered from 
the thrashing given him by the muleteers, and seeing 
that the combat was over, now ran forward, kissed his 
master’s hand, and held the stirrup so that he might 
mount his horse. “ I pray you, good Lord Don 
Quixote,” he cried, “ make me the governor of the 
island that you have won in this dreadful battle.” 

“ Brother Sancho,” the knight replied, “ these are no 
adventures of islands, only little everyday affairs, where 
nothing is gained but a broken head or a missing 
29 


The History of Don Quixote 

ear. Have patience, however, and you shall be a 
governor, or, perhaps, something greater still.” 

Sancho thanked him again, and then, climbing on 
to his ass, he followed the hero, who, without taking 
any more notice of the coach and its occupant, rode 
off in the direction of a wood that was not far away. 

Before long the squire noticed his master’s bleeding 
ear, and begged him to stop, so that it might be dressed 
with some salve that was in the wallet. 

Don Quixote agreed, but said : How needless 
is all this trouble when, if I had only remembered it, 
I might have had a bottle of the Balsam of Fierabras, 
and one drop of that is worth more than all the medi- 
cines in the world.” 

‘‘ Why, what balsam is that ?” cried Sancho Panza, 
pricking up his ears. 

A balsam of which I have the recipe in my head,” 
replied his master. ‘‘ It is so powerful that he who has 
it may defy death itself. When I have made^ some 
and have given it to you, and you should see me cut in 
two by a sword-stroke — which is an accident that often 
happens to knights-errant — you have only to set the 
pieces of my body together, give me a few drops of 
the balsam, and instantly I shall be as well and sound 
again as an apple.” 

‘‘ Why, if this is true,” exclaimed the amazed 
Sancho, “ never mind about the island. I would 
rather have some of that balsam than anything in the 
world, for certain Jt is^that I could make a good living 
by selling it. But stay, is it very expensive to make ?” 

“ Three quarts may be made for three crowns,” 
30 


Don ‘Quixote fights a Combat 

said Don Quixote. “ But, friend Sancho, I will show 
you greater secrets than this. In the meantime dress 
my ear, for it pains me more than I like.” 

Sancho Panza then got out his lint and ointment; 
but when Don Quixote found that his precious helmet 
ws^^^roken, he forgot all about his ear, and swore that 
he would never rest until he had revenged himself 
for this terrible injury. 

Sancho Panza was horrified to see his master in 
such a rage, and did his best to pacify him. After 
a time he was successful, and then the knight bethought 
himself that he had had no food for a long time, and 
inquired whether there was anything to eat in the 
knapsack. 

‘‘ We will afterwards search for some castle,” he 
said, ‘‘ where we may lodge for the night, and where 
I may prepare the balsam to heal my ear.” 

Sancho Panza opened the wallet and showed its 
contents. 

I have an onion,” he said, “ and a few stale crusts 
of bread, but that is poor fare for a brave knight.” 

“You are mistaken, friend,” was the reply; 
‘ knights-errant often eat nothing for months, and 
at other times they feed altogether upon fruit and such 
roots and herbs as they may find in the fields.” 

“ Pardon, your worship,” said Sancho. “ For the 
future, then, the wallet shall be well stocked with such 
dried fruits, but for myself, who am no knight, I will 
provide poultry and other substantial victuals. In 
the meantime, sir, let us eat what we have.” 


31 


CHAPTER IV 


What passed between Don Quixote and the goatherds. 
Also the strange story of Marcella, the shepherdess.'^^ 

D on QUIXOTE and his squire hurried over 
their frugal meal, and then started off again in 
search of a castle where they might find a lodging. 
Before long, however, darkness overtook them, and as 
they had now come upon the camp of some goatherds, 
they decided to stay there for the night. Sancho 
Panza was not at all pleased with this arrangement, 
for he much preferred a good town and comfortable 
quarters to the open country. 

The goatherds, rough men as they were, proved to 
be kind hosts, for they welcomed the wayfarers and 
shared with them their supper of stewed kid’s flesh. 

Don Quixote was given the place of honour, a seat 
on an upturned trough, and the men settled them- 
selves on the ground in front of him. 

Sancho Panza, at first, took up his position behind 
the knight in order to wait upon him and hand him 
the drinking-horn, but this the other would not allow. 

Sit down at my side,” he said, and eat with me, for 
it is my pleasure that there should be no difference 
between us. By the laws of knight-errantry all men 
are equal.” 

“ I thank your worship,” answered Sancho, “ but 

32, 


M arcella, the Shepherdess 

indeed I can eat as well by myself as with an emperor, 
and better, too. I would rather munch my onion 
and black bread in a corner than dine upon roast 
turkey at a grand table where I had to mind my manners 
and wipe my fingers.” 

“ Talk no more,” said Don Quixote, ‘‘ but sit 
where 1 say;” and with that he pulled him down on 
to the trough at his side. 

All this time the simple goatherds, who knew” 
nothing of knights and chivalry, sat silent, but stared 
at their guests, and, when the kid’s flesh was finished, 
offered them acorns and red wine. 

Later on one of the men named Antonio enter- 
tained the company with a song, which he sang so 
handsomely that Don Quixote begged him to give 
them another. Sancho, however, objected to this, 
and said that it was time to get some rest. 

“ Sleep if you wish,” said his master, but before 
you go, I pray you dress my ear again, for it pains me 
sadly.” Thereupon one of the goatherds, seeing the 
wound, begged leave to dress it himself, and gathering 
some leaves of rosemary, which grew thickly in the w”ood, 
he crushed them, added some salt, and applied the 
remedy to the knight’s ear, thereby giving him great 
relief. 

While this was being done a young man named 
Peter appeared, who was in the habit of bringing 
provisions to the goatherds from a neighbouring village. 

“ Hullo, friends,” he cried, as he approached the 
camp, have you heard the news ? That fine 
shepherd and learned scholar, Chrysostom, has died 
33 c 


The History of Don Quixote 

this very day, and they say it was all for love of the 
beautiful Marcella, who, although her father is rich, 
thinks fit to go about in the garb of a shepherdess.” 

For love of Marcella !” cried one of the goat- 
herds, and the others assured him that this was indeed 
the case. 

“Yes, it was for her sake,” he said; “and more 
than that, it is rumoured that he commanded in his 
will that he should be buried in the forest, like a pagan 
Turk, close to the cork-tree where he first set eyes on 
the maiden. Aye, and other strange things he ordered 
to be done, and his friend and fellow-scholar, Ambrose, 
will see to it that all his wishes are carried out. He is 
to be buried to-morrow, as I have said, in great state. 
It will be a sight worth seeing. I, for one, mean to 

go-” 

“ We will all go,” cried the goatherds, “ and will 
cast lots who shall stay behind to mind the goats.” 

Don Quixote had listened eagerly to all that was 
said, for he scented a romance. Now he begged 
Peter to tell him the whole story of Marcella and her 
love-sick swain. 

The young man was very willing to do this, and 
straightway related how Chrysostom, when he left 
the university of Salamanca, had laid aside his scholar’s 
robe and wandered about the country-side disguised 
as a shepherd, the reason for this strange conduct being 
that he had lost his heart to the fair Marcella. She, 
however, would have naught to say to him — nor to 
any of her other suitors, although she had many — 
for she was as cruel as she was beautiful. “ The poor 
34 


Marcella, the Shepherdess 

young men are ready to die for her,” went on Peter. 
‘‘ Some of them sing sad songs in her honour, some 
wring their hands, and there is a place not far from 
here where there are many beech-trees, and on every 
one of them you may see the name Marcella cut into 
the smooth bark. But the hard-hearted damsel pays 
no heed to all this, and we wonder what will be the 
end of it. And now Chrysostom is dead. You should 
go and see him laid in the grave to-morrow, sir, for 
sure I am that it will be worth your while, and the 
place where he is to be buried is not more than half 
a league away.” 

I intend to be there,” said Don Quixote, and 
I thank you for telling me this story.” 

‘‘ Alas ! you have not heard half the mischief that 
this cruel maid has done,” said the young man; “ but 
to-morrow, maybe, we shall meet someone who will 
tell us more. And now, sir, you had better lie down 
and rest in one of our huts, for the open air is not 
good for your wound.” 

Sancho, who was quite out of patience with the 
long story, added his persuasions, so Don Quixote 
retired to Peter’s hut and spent the night there. 

The next morning the goatherds awakened their 
guests early, and they all started off together for the 
place w’here the funeral was to be. On their way they 
met six shepherds dressed in black, with garlands of 
cypress on their heads and long staves in their hands. 
Behind came two gentlemen on horseback with their 
servants, and as all were going in one direction, they 
joined company. 


35 


The History of Don Quixote 

One of the gentlemen then said that they had met 
the shepherds that morning, and on asking the reason 
of their mournful garments, the story of the hard- 
hearted shepherdess and her unfortunate suitors had 
been related. He then repeated the same tale that 
Peter had told on the previous evening, and when it 
was finished, he turned to Don Quixote and in- 
quired why he rode in full armour through a peaceful 
country. 

My profession does not permit me to travel 
otherwise,” answered our hero, ‘‘ for I am a knight- 
errant, although a very unworthy one.” 

“ What do you mean by a knight-errant ?” asked 
the other, whose name was Senor Vivaldi; and then 
Don Quixote began to speak so wildly of King Arthur 
of Britain, Sir Lancelot of the Lake, Sir Amadis of 
Gaul, and many others, that his new friends perceived 
that he was frenzied. 

However, his whimsies amused them so much that 
they encouraged him to go on talking, and he told 
them of his adventures, and described the Lady 
Dulcinea of Torboso, who, he said, was a beautiful and 
mighty princess, kin to all the most ancient and power- 
ful families in the whole of Europe. 

Sancho Panza listened intently to all that his 
master said, and believed every word, although the 
story of the wonderful Dulcinea bewildered him 
greatly, for he had lived all his life in Torboso and had 
never even heard her name before. 

As the company rode on, they soon saw in a valley 
beneath them about twenty more shepherds, six of 
36 


Marcella, the Shepherdess 

whom carried a bier covered with leafy boughs and 
flowers. 

Those are they that carry poor Chrysostom,” 
cried one of the goatherds, when he saw the sad 
procession, and it is in yonder vale that they will 
bury him.” 

All hurried on when they heard this, and they 
arrived just as the bier had been laid on the ground 
and four of the black-clad shepherds were beginning 
to dig a grave. 

After a time one of them said, Look, Ambrose, is 
this the very spot chosen by Chrysostom ?” and another 
replied in these words: 

‘‘ Yes, this is the place where my poor friend first 
met the relentless Marcella;” he then turned to Don 
Quixote, and, pointing to the bier, said, ‘‘ Sir, this is 
the body of my comrade, Chrysostom, who died 
through the cruelty of a shepherdess, and here, with 
him, are his poems, written in her honour, which he 
commanded me to burn when he was laid in the 
grave.” 

Upon hearing this, Senor Vivaldi interposed, 
declaring that it was a wickedness to destroy the verses, 
even though the dead man had said that it was to be 
done. As he spoke he stretched out his hand, snatched 
some of the papers from the bier, and begged that 
they, at least, might be saved. 

‘‘ Very well, sir,” answered Ambrose, you may 
keep them, and I pray you read the verses aloud, for 
they are the last that my dear friend ever wrote.” 

“ I will read them with all my heart,” said Vivaldi, 
37 


The History of Don Quixote 

and thereupon he gathered the company round him 
and read a sad poem called ‘‘ The Despairing Lover.” 

The verses were approved by all, and Vivaldi was 
about to read another of the poems, when suddenly 
an unexpected figure appeared, standing on the 
summit of the rock beneath which they were assembled. 

It was Marcella herself, and she seemed fairer than 
ever before to those who knew her, while the strangers 
were bewildered with her beauty and gazed at her in 
amazement. 

Ambrose, however, was filled with anger when he 
caught sight of the maiden, and fiercely accused her 
of having come to mock the dead man whom she had 
slain by her cruelty. Marcella shook her head when 
she heard his words, and declared vehemently that 
she was innocent. 

‘‘ It is not my fault that I am fair to look upon,” 
she said, ‘‘ nor was it my doing that he loved me. I 
neither love nor hate any man, and only wish to live 
alone and be happy among the mountains and forests.” 

When she had said this she turned and disappeared 
through the trees. Some of the shepherds would 
fain have followed her, but Don Quixote forbade 
them. 

‘‘ Let no man follow the fair Marcella,” he cried, 
‘‘ under pain of my furious displeasure, for it is clear 
that she was guiltless of the death of Chrysostom, 
and does not wish to be troubled with other suitors.” 

Having said this, he bade farewell to the shepherds, 
the goatherds, whom he thanked for their hospitality, 
and the two gentlemen. The latter, however, begged 
38 



was /ibaccella berself 


\ 






Marcella, the Shepherdess 

him to accompany them to Seville, saying that there 
he would find adventures in every street and corner. 

Don Quixote was obliged to the travellers for this 
information, but refused to visit the city, saying that 
before he left the mountains he must needs clear them 
of the thieves and robbers with which they were 
infested. 

He had also resolved, in his character of knight- 
errant, to seek out the beautiful Marcella and offer 
her his services and protection. 


4 


CHAPTER V 


“ ^he battle with the T anguesian carriers^ and how 
Don Quixote^ s squire^ Sancho Panza, was tossed in 
a hlanketP 

A FTER the funeral of Chrysostom, Don Quixote 
and Sancho Panza, as I have said, rode through 
the forest in search of Marcella. They met 
with no success, but instead had a very unfortunate 
adventure. This is how it happened. The knight 
and his squire were ‘sitting at midday on the grassy 
bank of a little stream, when some Yanguesian carriers 
came by driving a herd of horses. One of the men 
struck Rosinante, who was wandering at large while 
his master rested, and immediately Don Quixote, as 
was his wont, determined to be revenged. 

This time he called upon Sancho Panza for assist- 
ance, saying: “ Friend, these are no knights, but only 
low-born rascals, so you may lawfully help me to 
punish them.” 

Punish them !” retorted the other; ‘‘ we are much 
more likely to be punished ourselves. Don’t you see, 
sir, that there are more than twenty of these fellows, 
while we are only two ?” 

‘‘ I alone am as good as two hundred,” declared 
Don Quixote proudly, and with that he drew his 
42 


The Misfortunes of Sancho Panza 

sword, set upon the drovers, and gave one of them a deep 
gash on the shoulder. 

Sancho, seeing that there was no help for it, 
followed his master’s example, and the fight began. 

It did not, however, last very long, for the Yangue- 
sians gripped their staves, and, surrounding their two 
antagonists, attacked them with great violence. A 
very few minutes sufficed to settle poor Sancho, and 
then Don Quixote was thrown to the ground and 
severely belaboured. This done, the drovers took to 
their heels and made off as quickly as they could, 
leaving the warlike knight and his squire in a pitiable 
condition. 

The first to recover somewhat was Sancho Panza, who 
lifted up his voice and called woefully to his master. 

Oh, Sir Knight,” he cried, “ how I wish that we 
had some of that magic balsam you spoke of. Maybe 
it is as good for mending broken bones as for healing 
wounds.” 

‘‘ I wish that too,” answered the other, ‘‘ for then 
we should want for nothing. But, good Sancho, I 
swear to you, by the faith of a knight-errant, that, 
if no other disasters befall us, I will have some of that 
same balsam ready in two days’ time.” 

‘‘Two days!” exclaimed Sancho; “what will be 
the good of that ? Pray, how many days do you think 
it will be before we can move ? And tell me, sir, 
since these adventures seem to be usual in knight- 
errantry, are we likely to have many more of them ? 
Methinks another one or two would finish us off 
altogether.” 


43 


The History of Don Quixote 

Ah, friend,” quoth Don Quixote, the lives of 
knights-errant must needs be full of mishaps and 
adventures; but then, on the other hand, we may 
suddenly become kings or emperors. That has often 
happened, and I could tell many stories to show the 
truth of what I say. Besides, we have not been dis- 
honoured in this last combat; for the men used no 
swords or daggers, as I well remember.” 

For my part,” said Sancho Panza, I had no 
time to examine things so closely. And as for that, 
I care not at all what weapons were used against me. 
I only know that they were mighty heavy ones. For 
all I can see, a hospital full of balsams would not 
heal us.” 

‘‘ Come, come, no more of this,” said Don Quixote; 
take courage, friend, and let us see how Rosinante 
fares. If I mistake not, he also has suffered in this 
encounter.” 

No wonder,” grumbled Sancho, ‘‘ seeing that 
he, too, is a knight-errant. The only marvel is that 
my ass has escaped injury.” 

“ In all disasters,” said the other, fortune leaves 
some loophole of escape, and now, Sancho, your little 
donkey may supply the place of Rosinante and carry 
me to a castle where I may be cured of my wounds.” 

“ Eh,” returned Sancho, the ass will serve, if 
you don’t mind being laid across his back like a parcel 
of rubbish;” and then, still bemoaning his hard fate, 
the squire managed to scramble to his feet and to 
harness the ass. This done, he assisted Don Quixote 
on to its back, tied Rosinante to its tail, and, taking the 
44 


The Misfortunes of Sancho Panza 

halter, set off in the direction of the highway. The 
road was reached before long, and as luck would have 
it, an inn was seen close at hand. Don Quixote was 
pleased to mistake it for a castle. 

A quarrel began. Sancho swore that it was an 
inn, his master was as positive to the contrary, and the 
dispute lasted until they reached the building. Then 
Sancho marched straight in with all his train, and did 
not trouble himself any further about the matter. 

The innkeeper came out to meet his guests, and 
seeing Don Quixote lying in such a strange fashion 
across the back of the ass, asked what ailed him- 
Sancho replied that it was nothing, and explained that 
his master had had a fall from a high rock and had 
bruised his sides a little. 

The innkeeper’s wife was a kindly creature, and 
now, calling her daughter and the serving-maid to 
help her, Don Quixote was carried into the building 
and laid upon a poor bed in an attic. 

I fancy these injuries look more like blows than 
a fall,” remarked the good woman, as she rubbed the 
knight’s aching body with ointment; but Sancho 
protested that the rocks upon which his master had 
fallen were rough and jagged, and added that he himself 
would be all the better for a little ointment, as he felt 
as sore and stiff as if he had had a tumble too. 

‘‘ It was the fright of seeing my master fall that has 
so wrought upon me,” he said. ‘‘ I am as sore as if 
I had been badly mauled.” 

Very early the next morning Don Quixote, who 
had passed a sleepless night, roused his servant and 
45 


The History of Don Quixote 

begged him to go to the governor of the castle — for 
he still refused to believe that the house "was an inn — 
and to ask for oil, salt, wine, and rosemary, so that he 
might make the magic balsam and heal his injuries. 

Sancho Panza, nothing loath, scrambled out of 
bed, and soon procured all the desired ingredients, 
which Don Quixote mixed carefully, boiled, and poured 
into an old earthenware jar. This done, he took a 
large mouthful of the decoction, and although it made 
him very ill for a little time, he soon fell asleep, and, 
on waking, declared that he was completely cured by 
the marvellous balsam of Fierabras. 

Sancho now determined to follow his master’s 
example, and, seizing the jar, he poured the rest of its 
contents down his own throat. The effect of such a 
large dose was like poison, and for hours it seemed as 
if poor Sancho was on the point of death. Don 
Quixote could do nothing for his squire, but shook his 
head sadly and said : ‘‘ My friend, I begin to fear that 
this pain befalls you because you have not received the 
order of knighthood. In my opinion the balsam should 
only be used by professed knights.” 

“ Why did you let me drink it, then ?” moaned the 
miserable Sancho. Why did not you tell me all this 
before ?” 

After a time the sufferer began to recover a little, 
and then Don Quixote, who now felt quite well and 
in a very good temper, saddled Rosinante himself, 
helped Sancho on to the ass, and prepared to take his 
departure. 

When everything was ready, he called to the master 
46 


The Misfortunes of Sancho Panza 

of the house, and, addressing him as “ Governor,” 
said : “ Lord, I have received so many favours at your 
hands, in this your castle, that I shall be eternally 
grateful. If ever you desire to be revenged on anyone 
for some insult or injury, I promise you that I will 
carry out all your wishes.” 

“ Sir Knight,” said the innkeeper, ‘‘ I do not need 
your help, for I am well able to revenge my own 
affronts. All I require is that you pay your bill for 
board, lodging, and the expenses of your horse at this 
inn.” 

‘‘How!” cried Don Quixote, “is this an inn? 
How strangely I have been mistaken. I took it for 
a castle, and a fine one, too, but, even if it is an inn, that 
makes no difference. You must excuse me paying 
anything. We knights-errant never pay the reckoning 
in any inn whatsoever, and I am bound to abide by the 
laws of my order.” 

“ I care nothing at all about that,” retorted the 
host; “ pay your bill, and don’t bother me with any 
more of your foolish stories. How do you think that 
1 can afford to keep an inn at this rate ?” 

“ You are a fool and a knave,” said Don Quixote, 
in reply, and then he set spurs to Rosinante and galloped 
away, without once looking back to see whether 
Sancho were coming after him. 

The knight being gone in this fashion, only the 
squire remained, and he vowed that he would not pay 
either, but would, like his master, observe all the laws 
of knight-errantry. The innkeeper then flew into 
a great rage, and, calling some men out of the inn to 
47 


The History of Don Quixote 

help him, bade one of them fetch a blanket. Sancho 
■Panza was dragged off his ass, and then they put him 
into the blanket, and, carrying him into the backyard, 
tossed him into the air as pancakes are tossed on Shrove 
Tuesday. 

Sancho screamed lustily while this trick was being 
played upon him, and he made such an outcry that 
his master heard it, and, thinking that someone was 
in distress, turned his horse and hurried back to the 
rescue. 

When he came to the inn, however, he found the 
door fastened, and rode round to discover some other 
entrance. He came to the backyard, and there, as 
the wall was not very high, he witnessed everything 
that was happening, and saw poor Sancho Panza being 
tossed again and again. 

Don Quixote was furious at this sight, and tried 
his best to climb over the wall that he might rescue 
his unfortunate retainer, but he was still so stiff and 
bruised that he could not even dismount from his 
horse. This angered him exceedingly, but the more 
he raged and fumed, the more the fellows in the yard 
laughed, and the more Sancho lamented. 

At last the tossers were quite exhausted, and then, 
setting their victim on his feet, they wrapped him in 
his mantle and lifted him once more on to his ass. 
The serving-maid, moreover, brought him a drink of 
fresh-drawn water from the well, thinking that he 
would be thirsty after all that he had gone through. 

Sancho gratefully raised the cup to his lips, but 
Don Quixote stopped him. “ Hold,” he cried, ‘‘ do 
48 



«<2)on (S^iUjote tdeD bia beat to climb over tbe wall. ’ 


D 










The Misfortunes of Sancho Panza 

not drink that. I have here some of the wondrous 
balsam. Two drops of it will cure you at once.” 

‘‘ No, thank you, sir,” replied the squire, with a sour 
glance at his master; ‘‘have you forgotten that I am 
no knight? Leave me alone, and keep your balsam 
to yourself.” 

The pair then started off once more on their travels, 
and Sancho Panza was in such haste to be gone that 
he never noticed that the innkeeper had taken his 
wallet and kept it as payment for the bill. 

“ My dear Sancho,” said the knight, as they rode 
along, “ I am quite certain that this castle — or inn — 
which we have just left was enchanted, and those 
creatures who treated you so barbarously were not 
men, but imps, or demons.” 

“ Nay, sir,” said Sancho, who still looked pale and 
downhearted after his misfortunes, “ they were men 
right enough; but, for my part, I say that it would be 
best for us to leave adventures alone. Let us now jog 
home and look after the harvest, else we may go from 
bad to worse and out of the frying-pan into the fire.” 

“ My friend,” answered the knight, “ how sadly 
ignorant you still are of the ways of chivalry; but have 
patience. Better days will come, and there is no joy 
in the world like that of vanquishing an enemy.” 

“ It may be so,” replied the squire; “ I know nothing 
about it, but so far we have not done much vanquishing, 
unless it was in the fight with the Biscayan gentleman, 
and even then you lost the visor of your helmet and 
half an ear.” 

While they were thus talking together, Don Quixote 

51 


The History of Don Quixote 

noticed a thick cloud of dust on the road in front of 
them. He pointed it out to Sancho. 

“ Seest thou that cloud?” he said; ‘‘ it is raised by 
a large army, marching this way.” 

‘‘W^hy, then,” cried the squire, ‘Hf that is so there 
must be two armies, for yonder is as great a dust on 
the other side.” 

Don Quixote looked round and was transported 
with joy, for he firmly believed that here were two 
great armies about to do battle on the plain beneath. 
In reality it was only two large flocks of sheep, but the 
knight’s mind was so stuffed with romantic stories of 
adventures, enchantments, combats, and such-like, 
that his fancy changed everything he saw into what he 
wished to see. 

This time he was so positive that even Sancho 
Panza believed him, and inquired uneasily what they 
were going to do. 

“ What are we going to do ? Why, what should 
we do but assist the weaker side and those who are 
injured ?” cried the knight; for let me tell you that 
the army advancing towards us is that of the mighty 
Alifanfaron, Emperor of the vast island of Taprobana. 
The other is his enemy. King Pentapolin, with his 
hosts. Can you not hear the neighing of the horses, 
the sound of the trumpets and the beat of drums ?” 

‘‘ Not I,” quoth Sancho; ‘‘ I prick up my ears, but 
the only sound I can hear is the bleating of sheep.” 

In this he was right, for the two flocks were by this 
time very near at hand. 

‘‘ Fear disturbs your senses,” said Don Quixote, 
52 


The Misfortuaes of Sancho Panza 

but it is no matter. Withdraw you. to some place 
.of safety. I, alone, am strong enough to give the 
victory to the weaker side.” 

Thus saying, he couched his spear, dug his spurs 
into the sides of Rosinante, and rushed forward into 
the plain. Sancho Panza, however, could now see 
more plainly, and he shouted to his master to return. 

“ Hold, sir !” he yelled. Come back, for Heaven’s 
sake ! Those are poor, harmless sheep. Are you mad ? 
Comeback! comeback!” 

Don Quixote rode on, deaf to all his squire’s 
entreaties, and this was hardly surprising, seeing that 
he too was calling at the top of his voice to the supposed 
warriors. 

“ Have courage !” that was what he said. March 
up ! I will vanquish the infidel.” 

Pie charged into the midst of the sheep, scattering 
them to either side, wounding many of the wretched 
animals and killing others. 

The shepherds, seeing what was happening, and 
finding their cries and arguments were useless, snatched 
up stones and pelted the knight, injuring his ribs and 
knocking out many of his teeth. He fell heavily from 
his horse, and then the shepherds, thinking that he 
was killed, made off as quickly as they could, taking the 
dead sheep — for no fewer than seven had been slain — 
with them. 

In the meantime Sancho, who had watched the 
mad onslaught from a safe distance, hurried to his 
master, whom he found in a sad plight, but still 
conscious. 


53 


The History of Don Quixote 

‘‘ Ah, sir,” he cried, ‘‘ this comes of going your 
own way. I told you it was only a flock of sheep.” 

‘‘ Friend Sancho,” rejoined the injured knight, 
‘‘ it is an easy matter for an enchanter to change the 
shape of things as he wishes. If you do not believe 
this, take your ass and follow those supposed sheep. 
You will soon see them transformed into armies once 
more. My friend, these calamities will soon be followed 
by success, and besides, these misfortunes are not yours, 
but mine.” 

‘‘ How’s that ?” cried Sancho. “ Was it not I that 
was tossed in a blanket this morning ? and did not the 
wallet which is lost with all its contents belong to 
me ?” 

What are you saying ?” asked Don Quixote 
anxiously. ‘‘ The wallet ! Is it lost ? Then I fear we 
must go hungry to-day. But mount your ass, Sancho; 
I leave it to you to find us a lodging.” 

With that they mounted their steeds, and pro- 
ceeded slowly and wearily along the road. 


54 


CHAPTER VI 


“ The terrible adventures of Don Quixote during a dark 
nighty and the story that Sancho Panza told to his 
master 

S ANCHO PANZA noticed, as they continued 
their journey after the encounter with the sheep, 
that his master was silent and low-spirited, so he 
tried to cheer him with pleasant conversation. 

‘‘ Your worship,” he began, with this intent, ‘‘ I 
cannot help thinking that most likely all the mishaps 
that have befallen us of late are a punishment for your 
wrongdoing in not keeping the vow that you made 
after your headpiece was destroyed. You swore then, 
if I remember rightly, that you would not eat food at 
a table nor enjoy any other luxuries until you had won 
the helmet of the Moor What-d’ye-call-him — I forget 
the name.” 

True,” answered Don Quixote, it may well be 
that you are right. Indeed, I had entirely forgotten 
my oath. But you may be certain of another thing, 
Sancho : you were tossed in the blanket as a punish- 
ment, because you did not remind me of the vow.” 

Before long, night overtook the two travellers, while 
they were still searching for a lodging, and what was 
worse they were almost starved, for all the food was 
55 


The History of Don Quixote 

left behind in the lost wallet. To add to their mis- 
fortunes they now met with an adventure — or some- 
thing very like one. 

This is how it came about. 

They were still riding along, feeling very depressed 
and very hungry, when suddenly they saw in front of 
them many bright lights, moving like a number of 
wandering stars. Sancho Panza’s heart began to sink 
at this strange sight, and even his master felt uneasy, 
especially as the lights came towards them and seemed 
every moment to grow larger and more brilliant. 

The riders stopped short. Sancho shook with terror 
as if he were paralysed, and the knight’s hair stood on 
end, although he did his best to control his fears. 

‘‘ My friend,” he said, ‘‘ this is a great and perilous 
adventure, which will test our courage sorely.” 

‘‘Woe is me,” groaned the miserable squire; “if 
it be another encounter with imps, T shall never be 
able to endure it.” 

Never fear,” said the other, “ no one shall touch 
a hair of your head. Be of good cheer, I will protect 
you, and the event will soon convince you of my 
valour.” 

“ Pray Heaven it may,” was the reply. “ I will do 
my best.” 

They then rode a little to one side of the way, and, 
watching intently, saw a number of figures robed in 
white and with torches in their hands. Behind was 
a funeral car, covered with black, and that was followed 
by six men in deep mourning mounted on sable 
caparisoned mules. 


56 


The Dark Night 

This dismal procession, coming at the dead of 
night, was enough to strain the bravery of a much more 
courageous man than Sancho Panza; but his master 
now decided in his own mind that the bier was a litter 
conveying the body of a slain or desperately wounded 
knight, and that it was his business to revenge the wrong 
which had been committed. 

He therefore couched his lance, placed himself in 
the middle of the road, and, as the company approached, 
cried in a loud voice, ‘‘ Stand! whoever you be; and 
tell me whence you come and who you carry on that 
litter.” 

‘‘ Sir,” replied one of the men in white, ‘‘ we are in 
haste, and cannot stop to answer questions.” 

This reply did not satisfy Don Quixote. Mind 
your manners, discourteous knight,” he exclaimed; 
‘‘ give me instantly an answer or I defy you to mortal 
combat.” 

Thus saying, he laid his hand on the mule’s bridle, 
and the animal, being shy and skittish, was frightened, 
and, rearing suddenly, threw his rider on to the ground. 
One of the muleteers then shouted roughly to Don 
Quixote, and he, flying into a rage, attacked the first 
person who came to hand, who, as luck would have it, 
was one of the mourners, and flung him down violently. 
He then turned upon the rest of the company so swiftly 
and furiously that it seemed as if Rosinante had wings- 

It was clearly quite impossible for unarmed men 
to stand up against such an enemy, especially as they 
were muffled in cumbrous mourning cloaks; so all the 
men ran away, leaving Don Quixote standing beside 
57 


The History of Don Quixote 

the bier, together with Sancho Panza, who was over- 
come with admiration and amazement at his master’s 
valour. 

Don Quixote then went up to his first victim, who 
was still lying on the ground half under his mule, 
and setting the point of his lance against the man’s 


“Ibe calleD to bim to on pain of instant bcatb/' 

throat, he called upon him to yield on pain of instant 
death. 

‘‘Alas!” was the reply; “why ask me to yield, 
seeing that one of my legs is broken ? Sir, if you are a 
Christian, do not kill me, for I am a priest and a scholar.” 

“A priest!” cried Don Quixote. “Why are you 
here, then, in this strange company ?” 

The other thereupon explained that his name was 
Alonzo Lopez, and that he and eleven other priests 

58 



The Dark Night 

were on their way to Segovia, escorting the body of a 
poor gentleman who had died of fever at Baega. 

‘‘ Is this indeed so questioned the astonished 
knight; ‘‘ then I am acquitted of the task of avenging 
his death. And let me tell you, sir, that I am a knight 
of La Mancha, Don Quixote by name, and that it is 
my business to visit all parts of the world in order to 
seek adventures, right wrongs, punish offenders, and 
relieve injuries.” 

Truly, sir,” complained the priest, ‘‘ I do not see 
how you can be righting wrongs when you break 
men’s legs, and, instead of relieving injuries, you have 
injured me sorely. But, if you are a knight-errant, 
help me now by removing this mule, which lies upon 
me so heavily that I cannot get my foot out of the 
stirrup.” 

Why did not you tell me sooner of your injury ?” 
said Don Quixote; and then he called Sancho Panza, 
who came unwillingly, for he was employed in rifling 
a store of provisions which he had found on a sumpter 
mule, and in packing them into his spread-out coat. 

The priest was now soon set on his feet and assisted 
to mount his mule, and then he started off to find his 
fellows, Don Quixote bidding him farewell and asking 
pardon for his mistake. 

And, sir,” said Sancho Panza, ‘‘ if your friends 
ask you who it was that gave you so sound a thrashing, 
you can say Don Quixote de la Mancha, otherwise 
called the ‘ Knight of the Doleful Countenance.’ ” 
When the priest had departed, Don Quixote asked 
Sancho the meaning of these words, and the squire 
59 


The History of Don Quixote 

replied : ‘‘ Sir, I have been staring at you by the light 
of that unfortunate priest’s torch, and it seemed 
to me that never in all my born days had I seen a more 
dismal figure. It may be that you are ’wearied with 
the fray, or it may be the loss of your worship’s teeth.” 

Don Quixote was pleased with this conceit, and 
said: “ Doubtless it is right that I should take a new 
title, as all knights did in the olden days. There was, 
for instance, the ‘ Knight of the Burning Sword,’ 
the ‘ Knight of the Phoenix,’ the ‘ Knight of the Griffin,’ 
and so on. I will therefore assume this name that 
you have given me, and in token of it will have a 
woeful face painted upon my shield.” 

‘‘ On my word of honour,” cried Sancho, there 
is no need for that. You have but to show your own 
face, for truly no painter could draw so dismal a one.” 
He then begged his master to come away at once, 
saying that perhaps the mourners would be ashamed 
of their cowardice and return to avenge the injury 
done to the priest. 

Sancho was, besides, very hungry and eager for his 
supper, so without any more parley he whipped up 
his ass and set off at a gay trot. His master, seeing 
that the man was in the right, followed him. 

After they had ridden a little way, a valley was 
reached, and here Sancho alighted, and, opening his 
bundle, showed a good stock of provisions. The 
travellers, having had neither breakfast, dinner, or 
supper, set to at once and made a hearty meal. 

When it was finished, however, they realised that 
a new misfortune had come upon them, for, although 
6o 


The Dark Night 

they had plenty of food, drink was lacking, and there 
was not a single drop of wine nor even of water with 
which to quench their thirst. 

Sancho was in an even worse plight than his master, 
and bemoaned the mishap sadly; but, before long, he 
noticed that the grass in the valley felt so fresh 
as to promise the presence of water in the near 
neighbourhood. “Let us go on, master,” he said, 
“ for truly this thirst is ten times worse than the 
hunger that gnawed us a while ago.” 

They went on, therefore, Don Quixote leading 
Rosinante by the bridle, and Sancho with his ass, the 
darkness being so thick that they could see nothing 
and had to feel the way with their hands. 

Before they had gone very far, however, they heard 
the sound of running water, and while they were 
listening to ascertain the direction from whence it 
came, another and more terrible sound smote upon 
their ears. It was like the clanking of iron chains, 
and at regular intervals there were thundering blows. 
So dreadful was the din that any other man than 
Don Quixote would have been overcome with terror, 
especially as joined to this hideous tumult was the 
black darkness, the rushing of water, the whistle of 
wind, and the rustle of leaves in the high trees overhead. 

However, our hero was superior to any fears, so 
he mounted Rosinante, gripped his shield and couched 
his lance as dauntlessly as ever. “ Let me tell you, 
Sancho,” he cried, “ that I am the man destined to 
restore the golden age of chivalry, and to encounter 
the most desperate adventures. I am he who shall 

6i 


The History of Don Quixote 

revive the Order of the Round Table and dazzle the 
world with my exploits. See now, my faithful squire, 
what terrors surround us. Darkness, an awful solitude, 
the rattle of chains, the howling of the winds, and the 
roar of cataracts. Mars himself might tremble, but 
I am unshaken, and I am overjoyed at the prospect 
of an adventure, more dangerous and more amazing 
than all that have gone before. You may wait for 
me here, my friend, and if in three days I do not 
return, go to Torboso and inform the fair Lady 
Dulcinea that her faithful knight fell a sacrifice to 
love and honour.” 

When Sancho heard his master talk in this strain 
he began to whimper most pitifully. 

‘‘ Oh, sir,” he cried, ‘‘ why will, you run into 
mischief ? Why need you go to meet this terrible 
misadventure ? It is dark and there is no one to see 
us. Let us therefore escape out of harm’s way. I 
left my wife and home for your sake. You promised 
me an island, and now instead you threaten to leave 
me in this dreadful place. Dear master, do not be so 
cruel, or, at least, wait till daybreak : it cannot be far 
distant.” 

‘‘ Day or night, it is all the same to me,” answered 
the champion, ‘‘ and no man shall say that tears and 
entreaties made Don Quixote forget his duty as a 
knight. Sancho, not another word ! but tighten 
Rosinante’s girths and wait here. You will shortly 
hear of me again, either alive or dead.” 

Sancho, finding his master thus obstinate, and fearing 
to be left alone in that darksome place, determined 
62 


The Dark Night 

to detain Don Quixote by a trick. Accordingly, 
instead of tightening' Rosinante’s girths as he was 
directed, he tied the hind legs of the horse together 
with the ass’s halter. When the knight tried to urge 
his steed forward, he found that it would not move, 
although he applied the spurs smartly. Sancho, per- 
ceiving the success of his plot, now exclaimed: ‘‘ Look, 
sir. Heaven is on my side, and Rosinante himself 
cannot move an inch. If you spur him now you will 
indeed be defying Fate.” 

Don Quixote fretted, fumed, and raved as he found 
his horse so stubborn ; then, as nothing could be done, 
he was obliged, very unwillingly, to wait till daybreak. 

Do not be sad, master,” quoth Sancho; I will 
undertake to -amuse you with stories, or, if you will, 
dismount and sleep on the grass as knights-errant are 
ever wont to do.” 

‘‘ What do you mean by alighting and sleeping?” 
cried the knight angrily. Do you think that I am 
one of those carpet knights who are ready to slumber 
when danger is at hand ?” 

‘‘ Good sir,” entreated Sancho Panza, do not 
put yourself into a passion;” and then, without more 
ado, he began to tell his story. 

“ Many years ago,” he said, ‘‘ there lived a certain 
goatherd, whose name was Lopez, and this goatherd 
was in love with a shepherdess, Toralva, and this 
shepherdness was the daughter of a rich farmer, and 
this rich farmer ” 

‘‘ Get on with your story,” interrupted Don 
Quixote, ‘‘ or you will not have finished in two days.” 

63 


The History of Don Quixote 

“ I tell it in my own fashion,” said Sancho. ‘‘Well, 
this same goatherd was in love with Toralva, who was 
a pretty, buxom maid; but, after a time, busybodies 
made mischief between the pair. Thereupon the 
goatherd resolved to leave that country, and, driving 
his goats before him, set off on the way to Portugal. 

“ However, Toralva discovered his plans, and, as she 
loved the young man, she followed him barefoot, and 
with a pilgrim’s staff in her hand. At last the goat- 
herd with his goats reached the River Guadiana, which 
happened to be in flood, and, by some mischance, there 
was no boat nor bark to carry him and his herd across. 
This vexed him sorely, for he knew that the maid, 
Toralva, was close on his heels. 

“ Before long he spied a fisherman in a little boat, 
but it was so small that it would only carry one man 
and one goat at a time. Well, for all that, he called 
to the fisherman, and agreed with him to ferry the 
three hundred goats across the stream. 

“ So the work began. The fisherman came with his 
boat and took one goat over, then he came back and 
fetched another goat, and after that another. Pray, 
Master Don Quixote, be sure that you keep a good 
account of the goats and of how many the fisherman 
takes across, for, if you miss one, my tale comes to an 
end. Now, the landing-place on the other side was 
very muddy and slippery, and this made the fisherman 
a long time in going and coming, but, for all that, 
he made shift to take one goat over, and another, and 
another.” 

“ Come, come,” cried Don Quixote, “ we will 
64 


The Dark Night 

suppose that he has landed all the goats; for if you go 
on at this rate the story will last a year.” 

‘‘Pray let me tell it my own way,” answered Sancho. 
“ How many goats have got over already ?” 

“Nay, how can I tell?” replied Don Quixote 
angrily. 

“ There, then,” said Sancho, “ did I not desire 
you to keep count ? My tale is at an end. You may 
whistle for the rest of it.” 

Don Quixote was annoyed at this, and tried to 
persuade Sancho Panza to finish the story, but without 
success; and, as soon afterwards dawn began to break, 
the squire secretly untied Rosinante’s legs, and prep- 
arations were made for a start. 

For some time the way taken by the travellers led 
through a pleasant grove of chestnut-trees, and then 
they came to a wide, green meadow beyond which were 
high, rocky cliffs. From the summit flowed a great 
waterfall, and at the foot of the rocks were some strange 
buildings that looked more like ancient ruins than 
uninhabited houses. All this time the terrible noise 
had increased in volume and violence every minute, 
and now it seemed to proceed out of these buildings. 
Even Rosinante was alarmed at the tumult, and Sancho 
kept close behind his master, dreading the awful sight 
which he expected to appear. 

They went on a little farther, turned the corner of 
a rock, and there in front of them was a large water- 
mill with six great hammers, thumping pieces of cloth, 
and making the dreadful din which had been heard all 
through the night. 


65 


E 


The History of Don Quixote 

Don Quixote was struck dumb with surprise, and, 
after his high hopes of adventure, felt ready to drop 
from his horse with shame and confusion; but Sancho, 
his fears removed, and seeing his master’s dejected 
countenance, burst into a loud roar of laughter. He 



‘‘Ibe bclb bis stDes anb rocbeb bacbwarDs anb forwarbs 
in bis inirtb/' 

held his sides and rocked backwards and forwards in 
his mirth. 

Don Quixote turned round indignantly, but the 
squire only laughed the more and even mocked the 
knight with his own words. 

66 


The Dark Night 

“ Good Sancho,” he cried in a jeering voice, I 
am the man destined to restore the Golden Age, and 
to encounter the most desperate adventures.” Thus 
he went on, until Don Quixote, enraged beyond 
measure, hit him two sound blows and so brought 
him back to his senses. 

“ Mercy,” he cried, “ spare me ! I only joked a 
little and meant no harm.” 

This is no joke to me,” said Don Quixote; and, 
Master Jester, if this had truly been a dangerous 
adventure instead of a false alarm, do you think I 
would not have had courage to face it ? Let those 
six hammers be transformed into six giants, I will 
vanquish them all.” 

‘‘ Good, your worship,” entreated Sancho, “ say no 
more. I carried the jest too far, although, truly, 
the fright we were in — I mean the fright I was in — 
would make a good subject for merriment. But let 
it pass. I am forgiven, and well I know that gentlemen 
when they have been hasty with their servants give 
them their cast-off clothes; doubtless knights-errant, 
after treating their squires to blows, bestow upon them 
sundry islands. You may be sure, good master, that 
I will never again laugh at your doings, but will always 
give you the honour and respect that is your due.” 


67 


CHAPTER VII 


“ The high adventure of the helmet of Mamhrino, and how 
Don Quixote set free a gang of frisonersd'^ 

S OON after the stirring events related in the 
last chapter had taken place, it began to rain, 
and Sancho Panza wished to take shelter in the 
mills. His master, however, would not hear of doing 
this, for he hated the building so much — after the 
‘ shame and ridicule which it had brought upon him — 
that he would not go near it. 

They rode on, therefore, along the high road, and 
before they had gone very far, a rider appeared in the 
distance with something on his head that glittered like 
gold. The knight immediately turned to Sancho 
in great excitement. 

“ Truly,” he cried, ‘‘ everything comes to him 
who waits. Last night we were deceived with the 
prospect of a false adventure, but now here is a real 
one to make up to us for the disappointment. And 
such an adventure, Sancho ! For this is, in all 
probability, the man who wears Mambrino’s helmet, 
and you remember the vow that I made.” 

‘‘ Good sir,” quoth the squire, mind what you 
say and heed what you do. Take care that you are 
not mistaken once more.” 


68 


Don Quixote and the Prisoners 

How can I be mistaken ?” replied Don Quixote. 

Do you not see the knight who comes riding towards 
us on a dapple - grey steed, and wearing a golden 
helmet ?” 

I see what I see,” returned Sancho Panza cau- 
tiously, “ and that is a fellow riding just such another 
ass as mine, and with something that glitters on his 
head.” 

“ I tell you that it is Mambrino’s helmet,” said 
Don Quixote; ‘‘ do you stand at a distance and I will 
deal with him alone. You shall see that, without 
wasting a moment in useless talk, I will finish off this 
adventure and win the helmet.” 

I’ll stand at a distance, you may be sure of that,” 
said Sancho, ‘‘ and I only hope that it won’t prove 
to be a worse adventure than the one at the mills.” 

‘‘ Fellow, I have warned you. Do not so much as 
name the mills,” said the knight; ‘‘if you speak of 
them but once more, I will pound you to a jelly.” 
This threat was quite enough for Sancho Panza, and 
he said no more. 

Now, this was the truth of the whole matter. 
There were in that neighbourhood two villages, and 
one of them was so small that it had no shops and not 
even a barber. For this reason the barber of the 
larger village served the little one as well. Now, on 
this particular day he was going from one village to 
the other on his business, and he carried his brass basin 
with him. He chanced to be wearing a new hat, and 
when the rain began to fall, he clapped the basin on to 
his head to protect it. The basin happened to be 
69 


The History of Don Quixote 

brightly polished, and, as the man was riding a grey 
ass, the romantic Don Quixote, as was only to be 
expected, mistook him for a knight on a dapple-grey 
horse, and with a helmet of pure gold on his head. 

Therefore, when the poor imaginary warrior 
approached, our hero raised his lance and flew upon 
him without a word, crying at the same time in a 
ringing voice: “ Rascal, villain, defend yourself, or 
give me immediately that which is my own.” 

The barber, riding peacefully along the road, was 
taken completely by surprise, and, when the terrible 
apparition rushed down upon him, the only way to 
avoid being pierced through by the lance was for him 
to throw himself off his ass without an instant’s delay. 
This he did, and then fled away as fast as his legs 
would carry him, leaving his ass and the brass basin 
behind. Don Quixote thus found himself the victor, 
and straightway ordered Sancho to pick up the helmet. 

The squire obeyed. “ On my word !” he said, 
‘‘ this is a special basin and worth a pretty penny.” 
He then gave it to his master, who examined it care- 
fully to see if it had a visor. 

“ Doubtless, my friend,” he said, when he found 
this lacking, the pagan for whom this helmet was 
first made had a head of an enormous size, but it is 
very unfortunate that half the headpiece is missing.” 

Sancho Panza could not help smiling at this speech, 
but fear of his master kept him from laughing outright. 

“What is the fool grinning at now?” said Don 
Quixote, and the squire hastily explained that he had 
only smiled to think what a very large head the first 
70 


Don Quixote and the Prisoners 

owner ot the helmet must have had, and a helmet, 
moreover, that looked for all the world like a barber’s 
basin. 

“ I fancy,” said his master, that by accident this 



“IRidmg peacefully along tbe roab/' 


enchanted helmet has fallen into the hands of some 
person who has tampered with it, but that is no matter. 
When we reach a town where there is an armourer, 
1 will have it repaired so that it shall be fit for the god 

71 



The History of Don Quixote 

Mars himself. In the meantime I shall wear it as it 
is, for surely it is better than nothing, and will at 
least protect my head from stones.” 

“ That it will,” replied Sancho, “ so long as they 
are not thrown from slings, like those of the shepherds, 
which knocked out your worship’s teeth and also 
broke the pot that held your precious medicine.” 

‘‘ Ah, true !” said Don Quixote, I have indeed lost 
my wonderful balsam; but no matter, I have the 
recipe for it safely in my head.” 

“ So have I,” quoth Sancho, ‘‘ and the taste of it, 
too. Never shall I forget it, though I live to be a 
hundred.” 

As they jogged on their way, the knight and his 
servant talked about many things, such as adventures, 
giants, fair ladies, and the ways and habits of knights- 
errant, but, at last, looking up, they saw in front of 
them about twelve men trudging along the road. 
These men were walking in a row, one behind the 
other, and each was linked by the neck to a long iron 
chain. In addition, all had their hands manacled. 

This strange company was preceded by two men 
on horseback, armed with guns, and there were two 
others afoot with javelins in their hands. 

As soon as Sancho Panza spied these men, he cried 
to his master : ‘‘ Look, sir, here is a gang of slaves 
being carried away by main force to serve the king in 
the galleys.” 

“ What ?” exclaimed Don Quixote, “ is it possible 
that the king will use force with anyone ?” 

“ I mean what I say,” replied Sancho. ‘‘ These 
72 


Don Quixote and the Prisoners 

men are rascals, and the law has sentenced them to 
row the king’s boats.” 

“ Then they are clearly forced,” said Don Quixote; 
‘‘ for every man is forced who does not go of his own 
free will, and if this is the case, clearly it is my business 
to succour them ; for I must needs hinder violence and 
assist those who are oppressed and miserable.” 

‘‘ Aye, sir,” said Sancho, “ but no violence is 
offered these wretches, who are only having the punish- 
ment that they richly deserve.” 

By this time the party of slaves had arrived along- 
side the travellers, and Don Quixote, in a very cour- 
teous manner, inquired of one of the guards why they 
were being led along in this fashion. 

‘‘ Sir,” was the answer, “ they are prisoners con- 
demned to servitude in the galleys. That is all that 
I can tell you. It is needless to make any further 
inquiries.” 

“ Nevertheless, sir,” replied the knight, 1 wish 
to know the cause of this misery, and I should esteem 
it a great favour if you would tell me what they have 
done to deserve this cruel fate.” 

I have here copies of their sentences,” the other 
horseman then said, ‘‘ but we cannot wait while you 
read them. However, if you wish, sir, you may 
question the men themselves. I expect they will 
tell you about their crimes, for truly they seem to be 
not a wit ashamed of their misdeeds.” 

Don Quixote thereupon inquired of the captives, and 
learned that one had stolen a basket of linen, a second 
had been accused of witchcraft, a third had carried 
73 


The History of Don Quixote 

off cattle, and a fourth, who was named Gines Passa- 
monte, was a noted desperado who had already served 
four years in the galleys and was now condemned to 
another term of six. 

In spite, however, of this evidence of the prisoners’ 
guilt, Don Quixote still considered that it was his 
bounden duty to rescue them, because they were being 
dragged, against their wills, to the galleys. He 
therefore, having finished his questions, turned once 
more to the guard and said : “ Gentlemen, as it is my 
office to release the distressed and those suffering under 
tyranny, I now desire you to set these poor men free. 
Let them answer for their sins in another world. I 
make this request mildly now, but if you annoy me by 
a refusal, my sword and lance will quickly force you 
to obey.” 

‘‘ This is a good joke indeed !” said the officer. 
“ You ask me to free the king’s prisoners. Let me tell 
you to mind your own business, good Sir Knight-errant . 
Set your basin straight on your head and do not 
meddle in what does not concern you. It will be the 
worse for you if you do, for he who plays with cats 
must expect to be scratched.” 

“ You are a cat, a rat, and a coward to boot ! ” cried 
Don Quixote, flying into a rage; and with that he 
attacked the officer so suddenly and violently with his 
lance that the man was dangerously wounded before 
he even had time to prepare to defend himself. 

The other guards rushed to the rescue, but, at 
the same moment, the galley slaves, seeing their 
opportunity, tried to break their chain and set them- 
74 


Don Quixote and the Prisoners 

selves at liberty, and the officers thought it more 
necessary to prevent this than to fight with a mad- 
man. 

A terrible tumult followed, and it ended in a 
complete victory for the prisoners, for, while his 
master was engaged with the guards, Sancho helped 
them in their efforts to escape. Gines Passamonte 
was the first to free himself, and then, seizing the sword 
and carbine of the w^ounded officer, he fought desper- 
ately at the side of Don Quixote. 

In a very little time the guards were defeated, and 
then they took to their heels, leaving the knight-errant 
and the criminals masters of the field. 

Sancho was not best pleased when he saw the guards 
running away, for he knew that they would raise a hue 
and cry, and that very soon a strong party would be 
despatched in pursuit of the freed slaves and their 
liberators. He therefore begged his master to escape 
as quickly as possible from the scene of the battle and 
to take refuge in the mountains. 

The knight, however, disregarded these entreaties, 
and, turning to the prisoners; said: Sirs, no crime is so 
detestable as ingratitude. You see what I have done 
for you, and doubtless you desire to show me your sense 
of obligation. However, I only wish for one small 
recompense. It is this : You must all go, loaded with 
that chain from which I have freed you, to the city 
of Torboso, and there present yourselves before the 
fair Lady Dulcinea, and tell her that her faithful 
champion, the ‘ Knight of the Doleful Countenance,’ 
sent you. Then give her an exact account of every- 
75 


The History of Don Quixote 

thing that has happened, and of how your liberty was 
restored to you.” 

Gines Passamonte, on hearing this, made himself 
spokesman for his fellow-criminals, and replied in these 
words : ‘‘ Good sir, our deliverer, what you ask of 
us is impossible, for we dare not be seen together 
for all the world. We must part company without 
delay, and hide ourselves in caves and crannies of the 
mountains for fear of those late guards of ours, who will 
certainly soon be after us again. We are grateful to 
your worship, in truth, but to expect us to take up our 
chain once more, and to lug it with us to Torboso or 
anywhere else, is as ridiculous as to expect pears to 
grow on an elm-tree.” 

“ Now, by my sword !” cried Don Quixote, “ you 
yourself shall go to Torboso, and shall carry the whole 
chain upon your own shoulders.” 

Gines, hearing this speech, realised that the knight 
was mad, and made up his mind to have no more 
parley or delay. He winked to his fellows, and 
immediately the whole company of the galley slaves 
attacked Don Quixote and his squire and pelted them 
with a shower of stones. 

Sancho managed to take shelter behind his ass, but 
Rosinante and his master were both overpowered and 
thrown to the ground. 

Seeing that the knight had fallen, one of the 
criminals snatched the brass basin from his head and 
others stole his coat and attempted to take his stockings, 
but found this impossible because he was wearing 
greaves. They also took Sancho’s upper garments, 
70 


Don Quixote and the Prisoners 

and then, fearing to wait any longer, made off in all 
directions with their spoils. 

Thus the ass, Rosinante, Sancho Panza, and 
Don Quixote were left alone in possession of the field. 



“^bU 6 tbe a60, IRoBfnante, Sancbo ipan3a, anb Don (StiUjotc 
were left alone.’" 


it is true, but in a very sorry plight — the ass hanging 
his head sadly, Rosinante lying stretched on the ground, 
Sancho shivering both with cold and with dread of 
pursuit, and Don Quixote amazed and dejected at 
finding himself so barbarously treated by those whom 
he had tried to benefit. 


77 


CHAPTER VIII 


What haffened to Don Quixote in the Black Moun- 
tain^ and how he met the ragged gentleman, Car- 
deniod'" 

D on QUIXOTE did not recover his spirits for 
some time after the misadventure with the 
prisoners, and could not forget the insults to 
which he had been forced to submit at their hands. 

‘‘ Sancho,” he said, ‘‘ I have always heard it said that 
kindness to rascals is like throwing water into the sea. 
If only I had listened to your counsel all this would not 
have happened. However, since it is over, there is 
no use in complaining, but, for the future, it shall be a 
warning to me.” 

‘‘ True,” answered Sancho Panza, “ and if you take 
heed and follow my advice now, you will escape 
further misfortunes and perhaps greater ones, for, 
let me tell you, sir, the guards who had charge of 
those galley slaves do not stand in awe of your chivalry, 
nor do they care a button for all the knights-errant in 
the world. It seems to me that I hear their shots 
whizzing past my ears already.” 

‘‘ You are a coward by nature, friend,” replied the 
knight, but, nevertheless, so that you may not say 
that I am obstinate and never heed your advice, we 
will now escape from this pursuit that so terrifies you ; 

78 


The Ragged Gentleman 

but only on condition that you inform everyone that I 
withdrew from this place because of your entreaties, 
and not because I was afraid.” 

‘‘ If it please your worship,” quoth Sancho, to 
withdraw is not to run away, and to linger is foolish- 
ness when there is reason to fear danger. I am only 
a country bumpkin, as you may say, but for all that, 
I know a thing or two, and I have an eye for the main 
chance. Now, sir, mount your horse — here ! I will 
help you — and then follow me. Just now heels will 
be more use to us than hands.” 

Don Quixote then, without more ado, made haste 
to mount Rosinante, and, Sancho having clambered 
on to his ass, they set off in the direction of the Black 
Mountain, a wild district in which the squire intended 
to hide until all danger was over, and then to travel 
either to Viso or Almodovar del Campo. He was all 
the more eager to carry out this plan because, by good 
luck, his store of provisions had escaped plunder at 
the hands of the galley slaves. This circumstance 
was, indeed, almost a miracle, considering how care- 
fully the villains had searched for booty. 

It was nightfall before the two travellers reached 
the central and wildest part of the mountains, and here 
Sancho advised his master to wait for several days. 
Accordingly, they made themselves a camp between 
two large rocks in a grove of cork-trees. 

And now misfortune once more overtook them, 
for Fate directed the steps of another wayfarer to this 
same spot. This was no other than the master villain, 
Gines Passamonte, he who had been the ringleader 
79 


The History of Don Quixote 

of the escaped prisoners, and who had incited them to 
attack Don Quixote. 

This man had also determined to hide himself 
in the hills, and he discovered our adventurers soon 
after they had fallen asleep in their encampment. 

Like most wicked men, Gines was ungrateful, and 
besides, necessity often makes people do things that 
otherwise they would never dream of. 

He therefore made up his mind to steal Sancho’s 
ass — Rosinante being so old and feeble that it would 
be quite impossible either to sell or pawn him — so he 
made off with the beast, and before daybreak was far 
away. 

Poor Sancho Panza was quite overcome with sorrow 
and despair when he awoke soon after dawn and dis- 
covered that his favourite had disappeared. He bewailed 
his loss in no measured terms. 

“ Oh ! dear little one !” he moaned, “the envy of 
my neighbours ! the playfellow of my children ! My 
comfort ! You who helped me to earn my living and 
support my family ! What shall I do without you 

Don Quixote, guessing the cause of these sad lamen- 
tations, tried his best to console the poor man, and at 
last succeeded by promising to give him three of his 
own asses to replace the one that had disappeared. 
On hearing this offer, Sancho immediately dried his 
tears, stifled his sobs, and changed his complaints into 
thanksgivings. 

They, then started off once more, and wandered 
farther and farther into the mountains. Don Quixote 
was happy and content, for he saw in the wild, rocky 
8o 


The Ragged Gentleman 

wilderness through which they travelled promise 
of new and astounding adventures, and, indeed, could 
think of nothing more substantial than his dreams. 



**1bis master was tcgiug, vvitb tbe point of bis lance, 
to picb up sometbing.^^ 


Sancho Panza, on the other hand, now that he was 
no longer afraid of pursuit, remembered that he was 
hungry, and as he trudged along behind his master, 

8l F 


The History of D on Quixote 

he made a hearty meal on the remains of the food 
which had been taken from the monks. 

While he was thus employed the squire noticed 
that his master was trying, with the point of his lance, 
to pick up something that was lying on the ground. 
He ran forward to help, and then it was discovered 
that the object was a portmanteau and part of a 
saddle. Both were torn, and, moreover, were so rotten 
through exposure to the weather that when Don 
Quixote ordered Sancho to examine the contents of 
the portmanteau he had no difficulty in doing this, 
although it was fastened with a heavy chain and pad- 
lock. Inside there proved to be four fine holland 
shirts, a quantity of other clean and fashionable linen, 
and some gold pieces tied up in a handkerchief. 

“ Bless me !” cried Sancho Panza, when he beheld 
these riches. “ Thank Heaven for sending us a lucky 
adventure for once in our lives.” 

He then groped farther into the portmanteau and 
drew out a well-bound pocket-book. 

“ Give me that,” said Don Quixote, “ and do you 
keep the gold pieces.” 

“ Heaven reward you, sir !” exclaimed the grateful 
squire, kissing his master’s hand; and then he crammed 
the linen and the money, too, into the bag which con- 
tained the remains of their food. 

“ It seems to me,” said Don Quixote, “ that these 
things must have belonged to some man who was set 
upon by robbers in these desolate mountains and 
murdered. Doubtless his body is buried somewhere 
not far away.” 


The Ragged Gentleman 

“ Nay, surely, master,’’ interrupted Sancho, “ high- 
waymen would never have left this fine plunder behind 
them.” 

You may be right, friend,” returned Don Quixote. 
‘‘ I cannot, therefore, imagine what has happened. 
But, perhaps, something in this book may help us to 
discover the truth.” So saying, he opened the volume, 
and the first thing that he found was the rough copy 
of a sonnet. He read it aloud to Sancho, and it proved 
to be a fine poem in which an unhappy lover accused 
his fair lady of heartless cruelty and hoped that death 
would soon release him from his misery. 

Sancho could not understand the elegant language 
of the sonnet, and his master did his best to explain 
the matter to him, saying that doubtless Phyllis, to 
whom the poem was addressed, was a maid of surpassing 
beauty, and declaring that, some day, he would himself 
write just such a sonnet to the fair Dulcinea, and would 
despatch it to her by the hand of Sancho. 

When the knight had finished speaking, his squire 
advised him to look once more into the book and to 
see if there were other writings. This Don Quixote 
did, and soon discovered a letter, composed in much 
the same sad strain as the poem. Other matters were 
there too, both in prose and verse, and these were all 
diligently read, for Don Quixote greatly desired to 
know who the author had been, and all the details 
of his sad story. 

While his master was thus employed, Sancho 
examined with much care both the saddle and the 
portmanteau, in hopes of finding more gold pieces 

83 . 


The History of Don Quixote 

or other treasure. However, neither searcher dis- 
covered anything, so they started off again on their 
travels. The knight was so deep in thought that he 
quite neglected to guide Rosinante, who, however, 
being a wise and discreet animal, chose the smoothest 
and easiest track through the wilderness. 

Before long Don Quixote’s hopes of adventure 
were fulfilled, for he caught sight of a wild figure on 
the crags above, jumping from rock to rock and leaping 
over bushes and brambles with an agility that was 
amazing. It was a man, dressed in rags, with a 
long black beard, bare feet, and a tangle of matted 
hair. 

Don Quixote immediately started in pursuit of 
this stranger, for he guessed that he must be the owner 
of the portmanteau, but, Rosinante being old and 
feeble, he was no match for so swift an apparition. 
However, in spite of difficulties our hero did not 
despair, but ordered Sancho to beat one side of the 
mountain while he searched the other. This the 
squire refused to do, saying: ‘‘Truly your worship 
must excuse me, for I am almost frightened to death 
as it is, and dare not stir a step away from you.” 

“ Well,” answered the knight, “ I will have pity 
on you, and it does not displease me to find that you 
depend solely on my valour. Follow me, therefore, 
step by step, as closely as may be, and search with your 
eyes every cranny of these rocks. It is possible that 
we may yet find this unfortunate creature.” 

“ For my part,” retorted Sancho, “ I would rather 
get out of his way. If we find him, we must needs 
84 


The Ragged Gentleman 

part with the gold. It would therefore be better not 
to search. Then, perchance, we shall have spent all 
the money before he is discovered.” 

‘‘ You are wrong, friend Sancho,” answered the 
other. ‘‘ Seeing that we believe this man to be the 
owner, we are in duty bound to find him and to restore 
to him the things that are his own.” With that he 
spurred on Rosinante, and Sancho followed, not best 
pleased, but comforting himself with the thought 
of the three asses that his master had promised to 
give him. 

The travellers rode on, over the highest part of the 
mountain, and before they had gone very far they came 
to a stream, on the bank of which a dead mule was 
lying. This discovery made Don Quixote feel quite 
certain that the ragged man whom he had seen was 
the owner both of the portmanteau and of this beast. 
He was pondering the matter when the sound of a 
shrill whistle caught his ear, and, looking up, he saw 
an old herdsman with a flock of goats on the hilltop 
above. He called to the fellow, bidding him come 
down, and, on being assured that no danger threatened, 
the man obeyed. 

“ That dead mule has been here for some time,” 
he said, when he reached the stream, ‘‘ and pray, good 
sirs, have you chanced to meet the master of it in these 
parts ?” 

‘‘ We have met no one,” was the knight’s reply; 
“ but not far from here we discovered a portmanteau 
and part of a saddle.” 

Ah, I have seen those things too,” said the goat- 

85 


The History of Don Quixote 

herd, ‘‘ but I dare not touch them for fear of being 
accused of robbery.” 

‘‘ Truly, you are an honest man,” quoth Don 
Quixote, but tell me, do you know anything of the 
owner of those goods?” ‘ 

I only know this much,” said the other; ‘‘ some 
months ago — six, maybe — a young and handsome 
gentleman in good clothes came this way, riding that 
selfsame mule, and with the saddle and wallet that you 
have seen. He asked me to show him the most 
desolate part of the mountain, and then he rode away 
and we saw no more of him for a great while. Then one 
day a shepherd chanced to come by, and this gentleman 
appeared, flew upon him and beat him without mercy. 
After that he stole our victuals and fled away once 
more into the hills. A good number of us herdsmen 
then resolved to seek the man out, and, after hunting 
for nearly two days, we saw him lurking in a hollow 
tree. He was changed so much then that if it had 
not been for his garments, we should scarce have 
known him. 

‘‘ That time the gentleman was civil enough, and 
saluted us courteously, bidding us not marvel at seeing 
him in so strange a guise, for that he was doing a 
penance in the wilderness. We prayed him to tell 
us his name, but that he would not do, although he 
thanked us kindly when we offered to bring him pro- 
visions from time to time. As I have said, your wor- 
ship, he was a fine, handsome young man, and his 
speech and bearing showed him to be well born. 
Well, as we were talking together that day, of a sudden 
86 


The Ragged Gentleman 

he stopped short as if he had been struck dumb, and 
then he flew into a fury and attacked the man next 
him with such savage violence that, had we not dragged 
him off, the fellow would have been killed. He bit, 
he fumed, he thumped, and all the time he cried out, 
Oh, Ferdinand, traitor, you shall pay me for the 
wrong you have done Much more he said, and all 
about this same Ferdinand, and then he fled away, 
springing over bushes and rocks so that no man could 
come up with him. And since then, sirs, we have seen 
him many times, and sometimes he is civil and some- 
times he is crazy. And now, to tell you the truth, 
only yesterday, I and four other men agreed together 
to find him and to take him, either by fair means or 
by force, to the city of Almodovar, that there he may 
be cured, or, at least, his friends discovered. And 
this, your worship, is all that 1 know of the matter.” 

Don Quixote was greatly concerned when he heard 
this strange tale, and resolved that he would find the 
poor distracted creature, however long it might take 
him to do it. But this time, as it happened. Fortune 
was on the side of our hero, and just then the fugitive 
himself appeared coming out of a cranny in the rocks. 
As he came near it could be observed that, although 
so stained and torn, his clothes were of fine quality and 
showed him to be a person of position. 

When he reached them, the stranger saluted the 
travellers in a hoarse voice, but with great courtesy, 
and then Don Quixote dismounted and embraced him 
as if he had been his dearest friend. 

This done, the two gentletnen drew apart and stood 
87 


The History of Don Quixote 

silent for a few moments, as if each were amazed at the 
appearance of the other. Indeed, the face and armour 
of Don Quixote must have seemed. quite as extra- 
ordinary as did the tatters and wild demeanour of the 
newcomer, who might well be given the title of the 
‘‘ Knight of the Ragged Figure,” even as our champion 
was called the Knight of the Doleful Countenance.” 


?8 


CHAPTER IX 


The story of CardeniOy and how Don Quixote sent a 
letter to the Lady Dulcinea of Torboso from the 
Black Mountain r 

T he ragged knight of the mountains was grateful 
to Don Quixote for his courtesy, and said: 
‘‘ Truly, sir, whoever you may be — for I have not 
the honour of knowing your name — I am obliged to you 
for your kind treatment of an unfortunate stranger, 
and wish that it were in my power to reward you.” 

Sir,” replied our hero, I desire so much to 
succour you that I resolved never to leave these moun- 
tains until I had found you. Tell me, then, the strange 
misfortunes that made you choose this unusual course 
of life, and I will do my utmost to help you. I 
solemnly swear that I will either redress your wrongs 
or else stay with you and share the sorrows and hard- 
ships of this dismal wilderness.” 

The gentleman, on hearing these words, gazed 
steadfastly at Don Quixote for a long time, and then 
said: “ Sir, if you have anything to eat with you here, 
I pray you give it to me ; then I shall be refreshed and 
better able to do what you desire.” 

When Sancho Panza and the goatherd heard this, 
they brought out what provisions they had and gave 
89 


The History of Don Quixote 

them to the poor gentlemen, who snatched the food 
from them and devoured it so quickly and greedily that 
it was easy to see he was nearly starving. When, at last, 
his hunger was satisfied, he beckoned to Don Quixote 
and the others, and led the way to a green meadow. 
There he laid himself down on the grass and, with the 
rest of the company sitting round him, began his 
story. 

‘‘ Gentlemen,” he said, ‘‘ if you wish to hear the 
tale of my misfortunes let me beg you not to interrupt 
me during the recital, for, if you do, I shall at once 
break off abruptly, and shall not be able to continue.” 

This preface reminded Don Quixote of Sancho 
Panza’s foolish tale of the goats and the ferry, and how 
it had come to an untimely end. 

“ I only warn you of this,” went on the ragged 
knight, “ because I must needs be speedy. Even the 
memory of my sorrows is a pain to me. Yet I will try 
to leave out nothing, so that you may have a full 
account of the disasters that have overtaken me.” 

Don Quixote and the others having promised that 
they would not interrupt, the tale began. 

“ My name is Cardenio,” said the gentleman. 
‘‘ I am of noble descent and was born in one of the 
most famous cities of Andalusia. In the same town 
there dwelt a maiden, the beautiful Lucinda, and she 
and I were companions and playfellows from the time 
that we were both children. 

‘‘ As years went by we grew to love each other 
more and more, until at last I determined to go to her 
father and beg him to give me his daughter’s hand. 

90 


Don Quixote Sends a Letter 

The gentleman received me very civilly, and 
thanked me for the honour that I had done him, but 
declared that he could not give me an answer until I 
had gained my own father’s consent to the marriage. 
I therefore immediately hastened to my home, never 
doubting that the required permission would be 
willingly given. 

I found my father in his chamber reading a 
letter, and when I entered he gave it into my 
hand. 

‘ Cardenio,’ he cried, ‘ here is a wonderful stroke 
of good fortune. The Duke Ricardo, a Grandee of 
Spain, and one of the foremost men in this province, 
wishes you to go to him immediately as companion 
to his eldest son.’ 

‘‘ These tidings struck me dumb with amazement 
and disappointment, which increased when my father 
bade me be ready to start on my journey in two 
days’ time. He then gave me much good advice 
and left me. 

The time before my departure passed away very 
swiftly. I could not oppose my father’s wishes, so I 
bade a tearful farewell to Lucinda and to her father, 
who promised that his daughter should be my bride 
on my return. I then left the city, filled with bitter 
grief at the thought of the long separation from my 
dear lady. 

‘‘ The Duke Ricardo, on my arrival, welcomed me 
with great kindness, but it happened that his second 
son, a handsome young man named Ferdinand, took 
such a liking to me that he became my friend and 

91 


The History of Don Quixote 

comrade rather than his elder brother, although that 
gentleman, too, gave me many marks of his favour and 
esteem. 

“ Don Ferdinand was at that time in love with a 
beautiful country maid, the daughter of a rich farmer, 
and had asked her to marry him. This she had prom- 
ised to do, but the Duke would not give his consent, 
thinking that the damsel, fair as she was, would be no 
fitting wife for his son. All this the young man told me 
in confidence, and soon after, it was arranged that he 
should leave home and travel for a while, his father 
hoping that he would forget the maid when he found 
himself among new surroundings. 

‘‘ I then proposed that Don Ferdinand should 
accompany me on a visit to my father’s house, and buy 
horses, for which our city is famous. The Duke 
agreed to this plan, and away we posted, for 1 need not 
tell you that I was eager to see my fair Lucinda once 
more. 

‘‘ After a little time, which passed pleasantly at 
my home, I felt it only right to tell Don Ferdinand of 
my love affair, he having given me his confidence in a 
like matter. So I described Lucinda to him, and at 
last, in order to meet his wishes, showed him the 
maiden as she sat at a low window in her father’s 
house. 

‘‘ The young man was struck dumb with the lady’s 
charm and beauty, and could talk of nothing else all 
day. Indeed, I soon became jealous and realised that 
my former friend had become my rival. 

‘‘ Now, one day it happened that Lucinda begged 
92 


Don Quixote Sends a Letter 

me to lend her a book, namely, ‘ The Romance of 
Sir Amadis of Gaul.’ ” 

On hearing these words, Don Quixote, who until 
now had listened to the tale in silence, interrupted 
eagerly. 

‘‘ Good sir,” he cried, ‘‘ if you had only told me 
before that the Lady Lucinda was an admirer of books 
on knight-errantry there would have been no need 
for you to say anything more in her praise. I should 
have known at once that she was one of the most 
beautiful and most accomplished maidens in the whole 
world. And I wish that, with ‘ The Romance of 
Sir Amadis,’ you had also sent her the story of ‘ Don 
Rugel of Greece.’ If you will do me the honour of 
coming to my house, I can supply you with more than 
two hundred such books, although now I remember 
that they have all been taken from me by enchant- 
ment. But go on with your story, and pardon me for 
this interruption.” 

While Don Quixote was thus speaking, Cardenio 
hung his head like a man plunged in deep melancholy, 
and then, instead of continuing the tale, he began to 
speak of the books on knight-errantry, and soon 
offended our hero by his slighting remarks on one of 
the famous ladies of Romance. 

Don Quixote immediately flew into a rage and 
demanded an instant apology, and then Cardenio was 
seized with a fit of madness, and after staring fixedly 
at the knight for a minute, snatched up a great stone 
and dealt him such a violent blow on the chest that it 
beat him backwards to the ground. 

93 • 


The History of Don Quixote 

Sancho Panza, seeing his master thus attacked, 
rushed upon the assailant with clenched fists, but he 
also was thrown down and roughly handled. The 
goatherd was then treated in a like manner, after 
which the madman rushed away and disappeared in 
the forest. 

Sancho scrambled to his feet when he saw that the 
man had vanished, and at once began to quarrel with 
the goatherd, who, he said, had not sufficiently warned 
them of the ragged gentleman’s violence. The fellow 
declared angrily that he had told them everything 
from the first, and then he and Sancho came to blows 
and fought together lustily, tearing at each other’s 
beards and belabouring each other unmercifully. 

Don Quixote, who had now, in a measure, recovered 
from the assault of the mad knight, tried to part the 
antagonists, but Sancho would not listen to his peace- 
ful words, and cried: “Sir, this is no knight, but a 
common fellow like myself. Let us therefore fight 
our battle to a finish.” 

“ It is true that you are equals,” his master replied, 
“ but why should you assail him when he has done 
us no wrong ?” 

After this he managed to pacify the two men, and 
then asked the goatherd whether it would be possible 
to find Cardenio again, as he longed to hear the rest 
of his story. The man answered that, as he had said 
before, the poor gentleman had no fixed abode, but 
that if they stayed in the mountains they would be 
sure to encounter him again, mad or sober. 

Don Quixote then mounted Rosinante, and telling 
94 


Don Quixote Sends a Letter 

Sancho Panza to follow him, he bade farewell to the 
old herdsman and rode away towards the highest and 
most wild part of the mountain. 

For some time the two adventurers travelled in 
silence, but this Sancho could not endure, as he hated 
to hold his tongue, and was longing to have a little 
chat. 

“ Good master,” he exclaimed at last, ‘‘ I pray you 
give me leave to depart from you and to return home, 
for there, among my wife and children, I can talk as 
much as I like. It is a dog’s life, worse than being 
buried alive, to trudge on and on all day in this 
fashion and never be allowed to open my lips — not to 
mention blows and kicks and being tossed in blankets.” 

“ I understand you,” replied Don Quixote, “ and 
while we are in these mountains I will permit you to 
talk as much as you wish.” 

Very well,” quoth Sancho, “ let us make hay 
while the sun shines;” and then he began to question 
his master as to the reasons for his dispute with 
Cardenio. From that subject they went on to talk 
of knight-errantry and of the fair ladies who treated 
these gentry with cruelty, and for whose sake they 
rode forth on dangerous quests and adventures. 

Don Quixote spoke also of the love-letter which he 
intended to write to the fair Dulcinea of Torboso and 
to despatch by the hand of Sancho Panza. 

‘‘ I am mad,” he cried, friend Sancho, and shall 
be madder until you return with an answer to my 
epistle, for not till then shall I know whether my 
constancy is to be rewarded or treated with disdain. 

95 


The History of Don Quixote 

In the meantime, where is the helmet of Mambrino ? 
for I saw you pick it up from the ground after that 
ungrateful villain, Gines, had attacked me.” 

‘‘Upon my word!” said Sancho, “Sir Knight of 
the Doleful Countenance, it amuses me to hear you 
talk. It’s enough to make a man think that all your 
tales of kingdoms and islands are nonsense. Who but 
a lunatic or a fool would continue to call a barber’s 
basin a helmet, and stick to the story for no less than 
four days ?” 

“ Now I am certain that you are the silliest fellow 
that ever a knight had for a squire,” cried his master. 
“ Have you not learnt that always the adventures of 
the knights-errant seemed only foolishness to the world ? 
This that I know full well to be Mambrino’s helmet 
appears to you like a barber’s basin. And it is lucky 
that it should, for otherwise it would have been 
stolen from me long ago. Keep it safely, Sancho. I 
have no need of it at present, for I am resolved to 
strip myself of my armour, and for Dulcinea’s sake do 
penance either by imitating the fury of Orlando or the 
melancholy of Sir Amadis.” 

By this time the travellers had arrived beneath 
a high rock that stood by itself in the midst of a fair, 
green valley. A winding stream rippled at the foot 
of the crag through the grass, and on its brink grew 
plants and exquisite flowers. 

It was a. lovely spot, and there the Knight of the 
Doleful Countenance resolved that he would do his 
penance. He therefore began to lament and bewail so 
sadly that it seemed as if he had lost the few wits he had 
96 


Don Quixote Sends a Letter 

possessed before, crying on the name of Dulcinea, and 
declaring that he was the most unfortunate and most 
miserable creature in the world. 

‘‘Oh, Dulcinea!” he cried, “glory of my pain! 
pity the distress to which absence from you has 
brought me, thy faithful lover.” He then dismounted, 
set Rosinante at liberty, and turned to his squire. 

“ Trusty Sancho,” he said, “ observe all that I do 
in this lonely spot, so that you may give an exact 
account to the Lady Dulcinea.” 

“ Bless me !” cried Sancho, “ what can I see more 
than I have seen already of your antics ?” 

“ You have seen nothing yet,” returned Don 
Quixote; “but soon you shall behold me cast off my 
armour, tear my clothes, dash my head against the 
rocks, and do many other things which will fill you 
with amazement.” 

“ For goodness’ sake, sir!” cried Sancho in alarm, 
“ take heed how you quarrel with those hard rocks, 
for perchance one of them will give you such a knock 
as will bring all your adventures to an end. But if 
you are resolved to be mad, master, and to send me 
away, I must ne'eds ride Rosinante, for my ass is gone, 
and I am no footman.” 

“ Do as you think fit, Sancho,” was the answer. 
“ But how shall I write this letter to the Lady Dul- 
cinea ?” 

“ And also the order for the three asses,” inter- 
rupted Sancho. 

“ I will not forget it,” said Don Quixote, “ but as 
we have here no paper, I must write on the bark of 

97 G 


The History of Don Quixote 

trees, or on wax. Yet, now that I consider it, we have 
no wax either. But stay ! there is Cardenio’s pocket- 
book. That will suffice, and you must get the letter 
copied at the first village you come to.” 

‘‘ That is easily done,” replied the squire, “ but 
who will sign your name at the end of the letter ?” 

Knights-errant need not trouble about these 
matters,” said Don Quixote; I remember that 
Sir Amadis never signed his name.” 

‘‘But the order!” put in Sancho again; “that 
must needs be signed, or I shall never get the 
beasts.” 

“ I will write it myself,” answered his master, 
“ and when she sees the writing, my niece will at once 
hand them over to you. As for the letter, it is of no 
consequence, for I remember that the fair Dulcinea 
cannot read. She has never seen my writing, nor, 
for the matter of that, has she seen me more than two 
or three times, so strictly was she kept and educated 
by her father, Lorenzo Corchuelo.” 

“ Lorenzo Corchuelo 1” cried Sancho. “ And do 
you mean to tell me that your grand Lady Dulcinea 
is none other than Corchuelo’s daughter — she that we 
call Aldonza ? I know her well — a strapping, sturdy 
lass. And to think that I believed this Dulcinea of 
yours to be some great princess that you had fallen 
in love with !” 

“ Mind your tongue, sir 1” cried Don Quixote 
angrily. “ You are a dull fool, I know, but I do not 
like your jokes. Let me tell you that the Lady 
Dulcinea is the equal of the greatest princess on 
98 


Don Quixote Sends a Letter 


earth.” With that he took out the pocket-book and 
wrote the letter as folows : 

High and Sovereign Lady, 

“ He that is dying for love of you sends greeting 
by the hand of his trusty squire. This same Sancho 
will also tell you of my doings, and of the sorry con- 
dition to which my love has brought me. Have pity 
on me, I pray you, for if you abandon me, death is my 
only refuge. 

‘‘ Yours for ever, 

‘‘ The Knight of the Doleful Countenance.” 

‘‘ On my word !” exclaimed Sancho Panza, for 
Don Quixote read this epistle aloud, I never heard 
a finer letter; and now the order for the asses, master, 
and see to it that you write plainly.” 

When the order had been written, Sancho saddled 
Rosinante and made preparations for his departure. 
Everything being ready, he bade Don Quixote fare- 
well with many tears. 

Good sir,” he said, ‘‘ I long to bring back an 
answer that will content you from the Lady Dulcinea, 
and if she will not give it willingly, perchance a few 
good kicks and fisticuffs will bring her to her senses. 
And there is another thing : when I return, how shall 
I find my way back to this desolate spot ?” 

“ Take good notice of it before you leave,” was 
Don Quixote’s reply, and about the time that you 
may be expected back, I will keep watch from yonder 
rock. Also, I have thought of another plan. Gather 
99 


The History of Don Quixote 

a good store of green branches and strew them in the 
way as yon ride along, even as Perseus did in the 
labyrinth of Crete.” 



wblcb be mounteb IRosinante anb robe avva^/" 

“ I will do it at once,” quoth Sancho Panza ; and 
with that he went and cut a bundle of boughs from 
the trees. After which he mounted Rosinante and 
rode away towards the plains, scattering the branches 
as he went. 


lOO 


CHAPTER X 


How the 'priest and the barber made a plan by which 
Don Quixote might be freed from his penance."^^ 

D on QUIXOTE, left alone, set to work to 
imitate all the foolish doings of the old knights- 
errant that he had read about in his story- 
books. He threw off his clothes, and danced about 
among the rocks clad only in his shirt, in the fashion 
of the mad Orlando, and then, following the melan- 
choly example of Amadis, he composed sad poems in 
honour of Dulcinea and wrote them out on the smooth 
sand and on the bark of trees. 

He had no food but the herbs and berries which he 
gathered, and so thin and pale did he become on this 
scanty diet that if he had been left alone there three 
weeks instead of only three days his own mother 
would scarcely have been able to recognise him. 

Sancho Panza, meanwhile, rode at a good pace 
down the mountain, and then, taking the direct path 
to Torboso, reached the inn where he had been tossed 
in a blanket. 

The very sight of the place set the poor squire 
shivering, and he had a good mind to ride on farther, 
but it was dinner-time, and he had tasted nothing but 
cold victuals for a long time. , The prospect of a good, 
hot meal was a temptation which he could not resist, 

lOI 


The History of Don Quixote 

so setting his fears on one side he rode up to the 
gate, and then paused, trying to summon up courage 
enough to go in. 

While he was thus waiting, two men passed by, and 
one said to the other, ‘‘ Look, master doctor, surely 
that is Sancho Panza, the man that Don Quixote 
persuaded to go away with him.” 

‘‘ It is, indeed !” answered his companion, ‘‘ and, 
moreover, he is riding his master’s horse.” 

Now, these two men were none other than Don 
Quixote’s old friends, the priest and the barber, so, 
coming forward, they addressed Sancho, asking him 
when and where he had left his master. 

Sancho Panza also recognised the newcomers, but 
he decided not to tell them where he had left Don 
Quixote. He only said, therefore, that he was bound 
on a secret mission of great importance. 

‘‘ How now, Sancho !” cried the barber, on hearing 
this, you need not think that we will be put off with 
such a story as that. If you do not tell us the truth this 
very instant we shall know that you have murdered 
your master and robbed him of his horse, and we shall 
have you arrested and shut up in prison accordingly.” 

This speech frightened Sancho so much that he 
thought it best to tell everything, and he described 
how he had left Don Quixote alone in the mountains, 
how they had previously had many strange adventures, 
and how he had been despatched with a letter to 
Lorenzo Corchuelo’s daughter, Aldonza, whom Don 
Quixote had named the Lady Dulcinea, and with 
whom he imagined that he was in love. 

102 


The Priest and the Barber 

The priest and the barber were amazed when they 
heard this tale, although they had known for a long 
time that their poor friend was mad; and they begged 
Sancho to show them the letter, the priest promising 



“De tbougbt It best to tell evec^tblns/" 


that he would copy it out, according to Don Quixote’s 
wishes. Sancho thereupon put his hand into his 
pocket to draw out the book, but found, to his dismay, 
that it had disappeared. Again and again he searched, 
but in vain, and, indeed, as he had never taken it from 
103 


The History of Don Quixote 

Don Quixote, he might have searched until Doomsday 
without success. At last, when he was satisfied that 
the letter and order were lost, he began to weep and 
lament, crying plaintively that he had been deprived 
of three asses at one stroke. 

The priest consoled the poor squire by promising 
to get another order from Don Quixote, and then he 
begged Sancho to endeavour to remember what had 
been said in the letter to Dulcinea. 

‘‘ By my faith ! I can say it all off by rote,” exclaimed 
Sancho, at first; but when he tried to repeat the words, 
he found that they had slipped from his memory. 
He scratched his head, he stood first on one leg, then 
on the other, he bit his thumb, and he cast his eyes 
up to the skies, until the patience both of the barber 
and the priest was well-nigh exhausted. 

It is useless,” he cried at last. “ I can’t remember 
one word of the blessed letter, but only that this 
was at the beginning, ‘ High and subterreine lady ’ ” 

“ Sovereign or sublime lady,” corrected the priest. 

“ Aye,” quoth Sancho, maybe you are right;” and 
then he tried to recall the rest of the epistle, but with 
ill success. Afterwards he told the two friends of 
Don Quixote much more about the doings and sayings 
of the knight, who, he explained, would soon become 
a king, and would reward his faithful servant with the 
gift of an island. 

The listeners were amazed at this foolishness, and 
wondered at the influence of Don Quixote over his 
servant. However, it seemed to them a harmless 
delusion enough, and they did not think it worth 
104 


The Priest and the Barber 

their while to undeceive the fellow. Instead they 
humoured him, saying that doubtless in time his 
master would be an emperor or at least an arch- 
bishop. 

‘‘ But pray, sirs,” asked Sancho, ‘‘ what will become 
of me ? I would like to know how archbishops- 
errant reward their squires.” 

‘‘ Do not trouble your head about that,” answered 
the priest. What we have to do now is to persuade 
your master to give up this foolish penance of his. 
Therefore, let us go into the inn, have dinner, and con- 
sider what is best to be done.” 

“ Do you two go in,” quoth Sancho; ‘‘ I had rather 
stay outside. But send me some hot food and also 
provender for Rosinante.” 

With that the two men entered the inn, and, 
having provided Sancho and his horse with a good 
meal, consulted together as to how their poor friend, 
Don Quixote, might be persuaded to give up his mad 
penance. 

Before long the priest thought of a fine plan, which 
he straightway expounded to his companion. It was 
this: that the barber should disguise himself as a dis- 
tressed maiden, while he himself took the part of her 
squire. ‘‘ In this fashion,” said he, we will go to 
Don Quixote, and you, as the lady, will ask a boon of 
him, praying to have revenge against a wicked and dis- 
courteous knight. In his character of knight-errant 
he will not be able to refuse, and thus we shall be able 
to decoy him back to his house and there endeavour 
to cure him of his romantic frenzy. I need hardly 
105 


The History of Don Quixote 

say, sir, that you must be masked and must make him 
promise never to ask to see your face.” 

The barber approved of this fantastic scheme, and 
preparations were made for its immediate execution. 
A suit of clothes was borrowed from the innkeeper’s 



Zbc barber cut a flue figure lu a clotb gown/" 

wife, and she, having learned that the poor gentleman 
whom they intended to succour was none other than 
the mad knight who had lodged in the house, gave 
them of her best. 

The barber, therefore, cut a fine figure in a cloth 
gown trimmed with bands of black, and a green 
io6 


The Priest and the Barber 

velvet bodice with facings of white satin. The 
garments were old-fashioned enough, but that was no 
matter. On his head the man put a white cap, and 
over it the priest’s broad-brimmed hat, which was so 
large as almost to serve as an umbrella. His face was 
masked, and in this garb, with his cloak wrapped round 
him, and seated sideways on a mule, he looked the 
damsel-errant to the life. 

The priest wore a red beard made out of an ox’s 
tail, and everything now being ready, they bade fare- 
well to the innkeeper’s wife and started off for the 
mountains. When they had gone a little way, how- 
ever, they took off their disguises, agreeing that it 
would be time enough to don them again when they 
came near to Don Quixote’s hiding-place. 

As they rode along the three men talked together, 
and Sancho Panza entertained his companions with an 
account of the poor, crazy gentleman, Cardenio, and 
of his sad experiences. He did not, however, say a 
word about the portmanteau and the hoard of gold, 
for, although a fool, the squire knew how to keep money 
when he had it, and also how to hold his tongue. 

The next day they reached the place where the 
green branches had been strewn, and then Sancho 
proposed that he should go on alone and interview his 
master. It was agreed that the squire should say that 
he had delivered the letter to Dulcinea, and that she, 
not being able to read or write, had sent an answer by 
wo d of mouth, which an:wer was that her faithful 
knight must at once abandon his penance and return 
home on pain of her severe displeasure. 

T07 


The History of Don Quixote 

The priest and the barber told Sancho that this 
false story was designed to induce his master to leave 
the wilderness, and to carry out his plan of becoming 
an emperor. If Dulcinea’s prayers were unheeded and 
Don Quixote still refused to leave the mountain, they 
themselves, in their characters of damsel-errant and 
squire, would see what could be done. 

Sancho Panza, therefore, rode away up a steep 
track, and the priest and the barber remained behind 
in a pleasant place where tall trees grew on the bank 
of a stream. It was very hot, for the month was 
August, and the time three o’clock in the afternoon. 

While they were resting and refreshing themselves 
under the trees suddenly the two men heard the sound 
of a voice singing a beautiful but sad love-song. They 
listened, entranced, filled with wonder, and when the 
music came to an end, searched among the bushes in 
order to discover who the mournful singer might be. 
They had not gone far when they found a young man 
sitting at the foot of a rock, with his head hanging, and 
with an aspect of deep melancholy. It could only be 
the unhappy lover, Cardenio, so the priest went 
towards him, and spoke to him in kind terms, beseech- 
ing him to forsake the desert and offering to help him 
if it lay in his power. 

Cardenio, as it happened, was in his right mind at 
this time, so he greeted the newcomers civilly, and 
proposed to tell them his story, saying that, doubtless, 
when they had heard it, they would see that his wrongs 
were past all redress and succour. 

The priest and the barber desired nothing better 
io8 


The P riest and the Barber 

than to hear the tale, so when they had seated them- 
selves and promised not to interrupt, Cardenio began, 
and after relating the facts already told to Don Quixote, 
went on as follows: 

‘‘ Qne day the fair Lucinda wrote me a letter, 
telling me of her love and begging me to go again to 
her father and demand her hand in marriage. This 
epistle I foolishly showed to Don Ferdinand, my 
treacherous friend, who had now himself fallen in love 
with the lady and had determined to win her for his 
wife. 

“ With this wicked end in view, he pretended to be 
willing to help me, and offered to interview Lucinda’s 
father on my behalf. I agreed, and he then asked me 
in the meantime to go to Duke Ricardo and bring 
back the money with which to pay for the six horses 
that he had bought. 

To this also I agreed, and, suspecting nothing, 
started on the journey, having first bidden farewell 
to my lady-love and promised to return without delay 
and claim her as my bride. 

I reached the Duke’s palace and was welcomed 
very kindly, but on one pretence or another was de- 
tained so long that I began to lose patience, and was 
planning to return without the money when, on the 
fourth day, a messenger brought me a letter from 
Lucinda herself. 

‘‘ I tore it open quickly, and then learnt, to my 
horror, that Don Ferdinand, instead of doing as he 
promised, had taken my place and offered himself as 
a suitor for Lucinda’s hand. Moreover, her father, 
109 


The History of Don Quixote 

flattered at the prospect of so great a match for his 
daughter, had given his consent, and the marriage 
was to take place in two days’ time. Lucinda then 
entreated me to return at once, and this, I need not 
tell you, I did, but only arrived at the moment when 
the marriage ceremony was about to begin. 

I managed to enter the house without being 
discovered, and then, hiding behind some tapestry, 
witnessed everything that took place. Don Ferdinand 
was the first to enter the hall, dressed as a bridegroom 
and attended by his gentleman, and then came the 
fair Lucinda, clad in white and carnation red, and 
decked with magnificent jewels. You can imagine my 
anguish when the marriage ceremony began, but before 
many words had been spoken, Lucinda swooned and 
fell backward into her mother’s arms. A scene of 
confusion followed, and a paper was found thrust into 
the bride’s dress. This Don Ferdinand seized and 
read. 

“ For my part I waited to see no more, but in the 
tumult rushed away and escaped to these desolate 
mountains. Here I mean to dwell until death puts 
an end to my unhappy life. Lucinda has forsaken me, 
Don Ferdinand, my former friend, is a traitor, and there 
is no one who can help or console me.” 


no 


CHAPTER XI 


‘‘ The story of Dorothea^ and how Don Quixote promised 
to assist a dams el- err ant 

G ARDENIO’S sad story had just come to an end, 
and the priest was considering how best to advise 
and comfort him, when suddenly a mournful 
voice was heard from among some trees. ‘‘ Oh, Heavens ! 
it cried, “ have I at last found a refuge where I may 
live out my wretched life in solitude ? for it is useless to 
hope any longer for ease or happiness.” 

The priest and his companions rose hastily, for 
the speaker seemed to be very near at hand, and after 
a few moments’ search they came upon a youth dressed 
in rough country clothes and seated on the bank of 
the stream beneath an ash-tree. His face could not be 
seen, for he was bending forward and bathing his feet 
in the cool running water. 

The three men came up behind the boy, and when 
they were quite near he lifted up a face that seemed 
as if it must be the most beautiful in the whole world. 
He then took off his cap, and a mass of hair fell from 
beneath it and covered his shoulders, thus showing 
that the stranger was not a youth, but a young and 
lovely maiden. 

At that moment, hearing a sound, she turned 

III 


The History of Don Quixote 

round, and, seeing the newcomers, started up and 
tried to escape. However, the ground was rough and 



*“Stop, maDam," esclaimcD tbe priest.'' 

her bare feet were so soft and tender that this was 
impossible. 


II2 


The Damsel-Errant 

“ Stop, madam,” exclaimed the priest, when he 
saw her distress; “ there is no need for you to flee from 
us. We only wish to do our utmost to help you.” He 
then took her hand and continued gently: ‘‘Do not 
be alarmed, fair lady, although your hair has betrayed 
you, but tell us the cause of your sorrow.” 

While he was thus speaking, the maid stood silent 
and trembling, then she said: “ Since you have found 
me here it is useless to attempt to deceive you, but 
my story will only make you sad. Nothing can be done 
to help me; yet, if you wish, I will tell you everything.” 

With that they seated themselves upon the grass 
by the stream, and the maid, trying to control her 
tears, began the tale. 

“ I was born in Andalusia,” she said, “ in a city where 
dwells a famous and wealthy duke who has two sons. 
My father was a farmer, rich and greatly respected, 
but not of noble birth. I was his only child and heiress 
to all his goods. 

“ My life was indeed a happy one, for my parents 
loved me, and when the work of the day was finished 
I used to amuse myself with reading, playing the harp, 
or making lace on a pillow. 

“ So the years went by, until I was a woman grown, 
and had beauty, or so it was said, and then, as Fortune 
would have it, the duke’s son, Don Ferdinand, chanced 
to see me.” 

When Cardenio heard the name of Ferdinand he 
started and turned pale, but the maid noticed nothing 
and went on speaking. 

“ No sooner had the young man seen me than he 
1 13 H 


The History of Don Quixote 

fell in love with me, as he told me afterwards, and I 
loved him too, for he was handsome and courtly. 
But there is no need to tell you of all the fine speeches 
he made, the love-letters he wrote, and of how he 
called me his dear and charming. Dorothea.” 

“ Dorothea ! Is your name, then, Dorothea ?” 
Cardenio interrupted. I have heard of a lady of 
that name who met with like experiences, but go on, 
I beseech you, with the story.” 

Dorothea was surprised at these words, and paused 
for a moment to gaze at the young man’s face and at 
his tattered garments ; then she continued her tale and 
related how Don Ferdinand begged her to marry him; 
how, at last, she consented, and how he gave her a ring 
from his own finger as a pledge of devotion. 

Soon after that, it appeared, her betrothed went 
away on a journey; and then there came tidings that 
in a neighbouring city he had been married to a 
beautiful and high-born lady named Lucinda. 

Cardenio started again when he heard this name, 
but he managed to control his agitation. Dorothea 
went on speaking in a broken voice and with great 
emotion. 

“This news,” she said, “filled me with rage and 
despair, and, hardly knowing what I did, I resolved to 
leave my home and discover for myself if the terrible 
story of my lover’s faithlessness were true. I there- 
fore stole secretly out of my parents’ house and made 
my way to the town where the marriage was said to 
have taken place. There I learned that it was all too 
true, and that during the ceremony Lucinda had 
114 


The Damsel-Errant 

fainted. Afterwards a letter had been found, in which 
she declared that she could not marry Ferdinand, 
because she had already promised to be the wife of a 
gentleman named Cardenio. I heard also that this 
gentleman had been present at the wedding, but had 
fled away before the reading of the letter. Don 
Ferdinand, too, it was said, had since left the city. 

There was now nothing for me to do, seeing that 
my lover was false, and, moreover, I had learned that 
my parents were angry because I had left my home 
without their knowledge. I therefore disguised myself 
in this garb that you see me wearing, and hid in these 
desolate regions. I have now only one boon to ask of 
you, good sirs — it is that you will direct me to some 
safe refuge where I may live my miserable life in peace 
and security.” 

Her story having come to an end, the maiden burst 
into tears. The priest tried to console her, but 
Cardenio interrupted him and took her hand. 
‘‘ Maiden,” he said, tell me, are you the daughter of 
the rich farmer, Cleonardo ?” 

Dorothea was startled when she heard her father’s 
name, and questioned the ragged gentleman, who then 
told her that he was none other than that Cardenio 
of whom she had heard so much. ‘‘ I also had 
abandoned myself to despair,” he said, and desired 
only to die, but now, having heard your story, my hopes 
have revived. It may be that happiness is in store 
for both you, fair maiden, and me. For my part, I 
swear that I will never forsake you until justice has 
been done.” 

115 


The History of Don Quixote 

Dorothea was filled with gratitude at these words, 
and the priest invited them both to his house, where, 
he said, they might consult together as to what had 
best be done, in order to find Don Ferdinand, to 
heal the breach between Cardenio and Lucinda, and 
to restore Dorothea to her parents. He then related 
the story of Don Quixote and the errand which had 
brought him and the barber into the mountains. 

Just then a loud call was heard and Sancho Panza 
appeared in the distance. The priest and the barber 
ran to meet him, and inquired what had happened 
and what he had done with his master. 

“ Alas !” said the squire, ‘‘ I found him yonder in a 
very sorry plight, lean, pale, half-starved, and whining 
for his Lady Dulcinea. Then I told him, as we agreed, 
that she demanded his return to Torboso, but he 
refused to budge an inch, and declared that he would 
not set eyes on her sweet face again until he had done 
some great feat in her honour. I fear, sir, that my 
poor master will never be an emperor or even an arch- 
bishop unless we can get him away from that horrible 
place, and, I beseech you, see now what you can do in 
the matter.” 

The priest and the barber then explained to their 
new friends the design which they had made in order 
to induce Don Quixote to return to his home, and 
Dorothea, whose mind was now more at ease than it 
had been for a long time, said that she would herself 
undertake to act the part of the distressed damsel. 

‘‘ This is indeed obliging of you, madam,” said 
the priest; and then Dorothea, who had brought 

ii6 


a 


The Damsel-Errant 

bundle of clothes with her into the wilderness, took 
out from it a petticoat of rich stuff and a fine green 
silk gown. She soon appeared attired in these gar- 
ments, and being, moreover, decked with a necklace 
and other jewels, was so beautiful and elegant a damsel 
that all the beholders were amazed. 

The one who admired her most of all was Sancho 
Panza, and he inquired earnestly of the priest who this 
grand lady might be, and how she happened to be 
wandering about among the rocks and bushes of the 
mountains. 

She is the Princess of Micomicona,” was the reply, 
‘‘ whose father has a great kingdom in the neighbour- 
hood of Guinea. This lady, having heard of your 
master’s wonderful exploits, has come to ask him to 
redress a wrong done by a wicked and powerful 
giant.” 

‘‘ Why, this is indeed good news,” cried the foolish 
squire, “ and if Don Quixote is so lucky as to right 
this same wrong, I am a made man. Methinks, sir, 
it would be well for him to marry this princess, and 
then he will be an emperor, sure enough.” 

The priest gravely promised that he would do all 
in his power to forward such a match, and Sancho 
Panza, well pleased, prepared to lead the way to his 
master’s hiding-place. Dorothea, therefore, mounted 
the priest’s mule, and the barber, having now agreed 
to act the part of her squire, donned the ox-tail 
beard. 

As for Cardenio, he was not eager to meet Don 
Quixote, for he remembered their late quarrel. He 

117 


The History of Don Quixote 

therefore remained behind by the stream, and the 
priest, who now had no part in the masquerade, 
stayed to keep him company. 

The others then took their departure as has been 
said, and when they had gone about three leagues, 
caught sight of Don Quixote among the rocks. He 
had, by this time, put on his clothes, but not his suit 
of armour. 

Dorothea rode forward, and, having been assisted 
by her squire to dismount, advanced towards the 
knight and gracefully threw herself on her knees 
at his feet. 

He tried to hinder this, but she would not rise, 
and said : ‘‘ Oh, brave and invincible warrior, I will 
never move from this place until you have granted 
me a boon, and, indeed, as you profess the laws of 
chivalry, you are in duty bound to assist a distressed 
damsel who implores your succour.” 

“ I cannot give you an answer, lady,” said Don 
Quixote, ‘‘ nor even listen to another word, until you 
rise from your knees.” 

This the maid refused to do, and Sancho Panza 
whispered to his master: ‘‘Grant her the boon, sir. 
It is nothing, I assure you. Only a mere trifle of 
giant-killing, and this lady is the mighty Princess 
Micomicona, monarch of a great realm in Africa.” 

“ Let her be whom she may,” replied the knight, 
“ I must obey the dictates of my conscience and the 
laws of chivalry.” Then he turned once more to the 
damsel, and said : “ Madam, I grant you the boon, 
which, indeed, your marvellous beauty demands.” 

ii8 


The Damsel-Errant 

‘‘ Sir,” then said Dorothea, “ this is the favour that 
I ask. You must come with me instantly, wherever 
I shall lead, and you must promise not to engage in 
any new adventure until you have taken revenge on a 
villain who has usurped my kingdom.” 

‘‘ I will do all that you require,” returned the knight. 
“ And now shake off yourlnelancholy, for, by the help 
of Heaven and my strong arm, you shall be restored 
to your throne and all traitors shall perish. Let us 
hasten, then, and start at once. Delays may be 
dangerous.” 

This said, he raised the fair Dorothea to her feet 
and bade Sancho fetch his armour and weapons, which 
were hanging on a tree close at hand. 

Meanwhile, the barber had had great difficulty 
in hiding his laughter and in keeping on his beard 
at the same time; for had the beard fallen off, the whole 
plot would have been discovered. He now assisted 
the lady to mount her mule, and scrambled on to the 
back of his own beast. They took their departure, 
Don Quixote once more riding Rosinante, while poor 
Sancho trudged behind and bewailed the loss of 
his ass. 

Before long Cardenio and the priest saw the little 
company coming towards them through the trees, 
and they wondered how best they might join them. 
The priest, who was a clever, contriving man, soon 
hit upon a plan, and, taking a pair of scissors from his 
pocket, he clipped off the other’s beard. This done, 
he clothed the ragged gentleman in his own riding 
coat and cloak, and the aspect of Cardenio was then 
119 


The History of Don Quixote 

SO much altered that he would hardly have recognised 
himself in a looking-glass. 

Don Quixote and his companions having now 
reached the stream, the priest, clad only in his doublet 
and hose, went forward to meet them, and the knight 
was amazed and delighted to see his old friend. He 
wished to alight and give up his horse Rosin ante, but 
this the other would not allow, and said that he would 
ride pillion fashion on the barber’s mule. 

So it was arranged, but unfortunately the mule 
was only a hired beast and obstinate. He therefore 
gave two or three sharp kicks and flung his rider to 
the ground. The barber was more frightened than 
hurt, but his beard fell off, and to conceal what had 
happened he clasped his chin with both hands and 
declared that his jaw was broken. 

Don Quixote turned round to see what was the 
cause of the commotion, and was amazed to perceive 
the mass of beard lying on the ground. 

‘‘ What a miracle !” he cried, ‘‘ here is a beard 
cut off as neatly by an accident as if it had been the 
work of a barber.” 

The priest then, seeing that they were in danger 
of discovery, ran up to the barber, and managed to 
replace the beard so swiftly and skilfully that our hero 
believed it to have been done by enchantment, and 
resolved to learn the secret of the magic which had 
been employed. 


i?9 


CHAPTER XII 


The Princess Micomicona tells her story, and some 
strange incidents that haffened at the innP 

T he company now started off once more on their 
journey, and Don Quixote, who had been much 
surprised to see his old friend the priest again, 
questioned him, asking how he came to be in the 
mountains and why he was so scantily attired. 

‘‘ I will tell you the truth in a very few words,” 
was the reply. ‘‘ I and my friend. Master Nicholas the 
barber, were obliged to go to Seville on a matter of 
business. As we rode along to that city we were 
attacked by a band of four highwaymen, who robbed 
us of everything and even stole the barber’s beard, so 
that he was forced to provide himself with a false one. 
As to that young gentleman there,” the speaker 
pointed to Cardenio, ‘‘ even his shirt was taken. Now, 
as it turned out, these villains who attacked us were 
nothing more nor less than a party of galley slaves, 
who had been rescued by a single knight not far from 
that place. It is certain the man must have either 
been mad or as great a rascal as the slaves, for only a 
fool or a knave would set loose such a pack of wolves. 
He has hindered the course of justice, treated the laws 
with contempt, and broken his allegiance to the king.’’ 
121 


The History of Don Quixote 

The priest had had a full account of the adventure 
with the galley slaves from Sancho Panza, so now he 
invented this story and watched Don Quixote’s 
agitation with amusement. The knight grew pale as 
he listened, but did not confess that he was the person 
who had done the foolish deed. 

Sancho, however, had no such scruples, and when 
the tale came to an end, exclaimed in a loud voice: 

Upon my word ! sir, it was my master himself who 
did that little job, although I warned him again 
and again, saying that it was a sin and a shame to give 
such a set of rogues their liberty.” 

‘‘ Silence ! you block-headed clown,” cried Don 
Quixote; ‘‘ it is the duty of a knight-errant to interfere 
when he encounters men who are oppressed and loaded 
with chains. We are bound to relieve the afflicted, 
and consider not their crimes, but their miseries. I 
only did what all the laws of chivalry obliged me to do, 
and if anyone dares to contradict me, he knows nothing 
of knight-errantry, and I will at once give him a lesson 
at the point of the sword.” 

Having said this, he raised himself in his stirrups 
and glanced round angrily, but Dorothea, who had 
heard of the knight’s fierce temper, tried to humour 
and to pacify him. 

‘‘ I pray you, sir,” she cried, ‘‘ remember your oath 
to me, that you would not engage in any new adventure 
until my wrongs are righted. Be calm, for this good 
man, I am sure, never intended to offend you.” 

“Indeed I did not,” said the priest; and then 
Don Quixote declared that he was satisfied, and begged 
122 


The Pri ncess Micomicona 

Dorothea to tell him the story of her misfortunes so 
that he might know the nature of the deeds that would 
be required of him. Dorothea assented to this request, 
and the others gathered round, eager to hear what kind 
of a tale she would invent at such short notice. 

‘‘ To begin with, gentlemen,” she said, you must 
know that my name is •” She paused, unable to re- 

member the name that the priest had given her. He 
hastened to her assistance, saying: Madam, it is not 
strange that, after all your afflictions, you should stumble 
at the beginning of your story. Misfortunes often 
deprive us of memory. It is no wonder that the 
Princess Micomicona should be distracted. I hope 
that now you will be able to proceed.” 

‘‘ I hope so, too,” said the lady; and then she related 
how her father was a wise magician named Tiracrio, 
and how he had prophesied that, after his death, 
misfortunes would come upon the kingdom if his 
daughter refused to marry the powerful and gloomy 
giant, Pandafilando. 

He charged me, when this wicked giant should 
invade my territory, to offer no resistance, but to 
hasten away to Spain, and there to seek out a tall, 
lean, lantern- jawed knight, called ‘ the Knight of the 
Doleful Countenance,’ who would be my champion. 
I promised to obey this behest, and everything has 
happened as was foretold. I came to Spain, and no 
sooner had I landed at Ossuna than I heard of Don 
Quixote’s fame, and knew that he must be the knight 
destined to assist me.” 

‘‘ But pray, madam,” cried Don Quixote, on hearing 
123 


The History of Don Quixote 

this, ‘‘ how came you to land at Ossuna, seeing that 
it is no seaport ?” 

Here once more the priest came to Dorothea’s 
help, and interrupted quickly before she had time to 
say anything. 

Doubtless,” he explained, the lady meant that, 
having landed at Malaga, the first place where she 
heard rumours of your valour was Ossuna.” 

“ Yes, that is what I intended to say,” cried 
Dorothea, ‘‘ and now it only remains for me to show 
Don Quixote this same giant, Pandafilando, that he 
may slay him and restore my kingdom to me. Gentle- 
men, that is my whole history, and, moreover, on the 
voyage to Spain a great storm arose and all my serv ants 
and retainers were lost. This trusty squire with the 
long beard is the only one left, and if my story has 
been confused or inexact you must pardon me, and 
remember that trouble has impaired my memory.” 

Don Quixote was greatly affected by the tale, and 
promised the lady once more that he would not rest 
until he had slain the giant. Then they talked on 
other subjects as they rode on their way. 

Before long the travellers overtook a man dressed 
as a gipsy and mounted on a grey ass, and Sancho, 
who, remembering his loss, always gazed with longing 
eyes at any donkey, immediately recognised his own 
beast and the thief, Gines Passamonte. He ran 
forward, shouting to the man to stop. 

‘‘ Robber and villain!” he cried, ‘‘get off the back 
of my dear one. Away with you, and leave my ass. 
Dapple, to his old master.” 

124 


The Princess Micomicona 

Gines, seeing Sancho, did not wait to hear anything 
more, but threw himself to the ground and took to his 
heels. Sancho then ran up to the donkey, flung his 



'‘Sancbo flung bis arms rou.iD its necb."^ 


arms round its neck, stroked it and called it by many 
pet names. He even kissed the beast, and all the 
company congratulated him on his good fortune. 

125 


The History of Don Quixote 

As they continued their journey after this episode, 
Don Quixote rode apart with his squire and questioned 
him about his interview with the Lady Dulcinea. 

“ How was she employed when you arrived he said. 
“ I dare swear that she was sitting at her embroidery 
or else stringing costly pearls together.” 

‘‘On my faith, no!” answered the squire; “I 
found her winnowing corn in the back-yard.” 

“ Then,” said the knight, rather surprised, “ you 
may be sure that it was corn of the finest quality ; 
and my letter — did she press it to her lips ? Did she 
treasure it ? What did she say to you ?” 

“ Why, truly, sir,” was the reply, “ she was busy 
with her sieve, and said: ‘Put it down on the sack. 
Can’t you see that my hands are full ?’ ” 

“ Thrice happy sieve 1” exclaimed the knight, “ to 
be held in those lovely hands. And when you had 
finished your errand, what jewel did she give you on 
your departure ? It is always the custom of ladies to 
bestow gifts on those who bring them good news.” 

“ She gave me a lunch of bread and cheese,” said 
Sancho, “ which she handed to me over the yard 
wall as I was taking my leave.” 

“ It is strange,” said the other, on hearing this ; 
“ but if she did not give you a jewel it was doubtless 
because she had not one on her at the time. I shall 
soon see her and all will be explained. But, friend 
Sancho, I was amazed at your speedy return from 
Torboso, seeing that the city is more than thirty leagues 
away. But perhaps some friendly sorcerer aided you.” 

“ I believe that, too,” said the squire, falling in 
126 


The Princess Micomicona 

with his master’s whim, ‘‘ for Rosinante was so play- 
ful and mettlesome on the way that it is certain 
witchcraft was at work. And, your worship, if you 
take my advice you will give up this Dulcinea of 
yours and marry the princess, who has a fine kingdom, 
larger than Portugal itself. Come, master, ‘ a bird 
in the hand is worth two in the bush.’ ” 

‘‘ You give me this advice because you are thinking 
of your own reward,” said Don Quixote, “ but that 
I can give you without marrying the lady.” 

Just then the conversation was interrupted by 
Master Nicholas, the barber, who called to them to 
stop and drink at a little fountain by the wayside. 
Sancho was glad, for, not having seen the Lady 
Dulcinea, he w^s troubled by his master’s questions and 
feared that his deceit would be discovered. 

The travellers sat down on the grass near the foun- 
tain and refreshed themselves with some food that the 
priest had brought with him. Cardenio, meanwhile, 
had dressed himself in the clothes which Dorothea 
had worn when found in the desert, and thus he looked 
more respectable than before. 

While they were resting and eating, a young boy 
ran up, and threw himself on to his knees before Don 
Quixote. 

Good sir,” he cried, ‘‘ do you not know me ? 
Have you forgotten poor Andrew, whom you caused 
to be unbound from the tree ?” 

Don Quixote recognised the fellow, and, turning to 
the company, described to them everything that had 
happened. 


127 


The History of Don Quixote 

“ All that is true enough,” said Andrew, when the 
story was finished, but the business did not end there. 
No sooner had you left than my master caught me, 
tied me up again, and thrashed me more soundly than 
ever. And it was all your fault, sir, for had you not 
interfered, I should have had but ten or twenty 
lashes at the most.” 

‘‘ Your wrong shall be redressed without delay,” 
exclaimed Don Quixote, springing to his feet; and 
when Dorothea questioned him as to what he meant 
to do, he replied that he must find the rascal who had 
ill-treated the boy, punish him for his crimes, and 
exact from him all the money that was due. The 
lady then reminded her champion of his vow, and 
said that he must let this adventure wait until her 
wrongs had all been redressed. 

‘‘ That is reasonable,” answered the knight ; and 
then, turning to Andrew, he promised to fulfil his 
promise in the future. 

This, however, did not by any means satisfy the 
boy, but at last, finding that he could get nothing 
more, he departed, grumbling at the ways of knights- 
errant, and declaring that he wanted no more of their 
assistance. 

When the wayside meal was finished, Don Quixote 
and his companions continued their journey, and before 
long reached the inn, which still was a place of such 
hideous memories to poor Sancho Panza that he 
would willingly have gone many miles out of his way 
to avoid it. 

However, Fate ruled otherwise, and the company 
128 


The Princess Micomicona 


received a hearty welcome from the innkeeper and his 
wife, who promised that, if he would pay for it, Don 
Quixote should have a much better bed than on his 
former visit. Being tired out with all his hardships 
and adventures, he soon retired to his room, and then 
the hostess went to the barber and demanded the 
return of the ox’s tail that she had lent him. 

The poor man was in a difficulty, and did not know 
what to do, but his friend the priest came to his help 
and advised him to give up the false beard and appear 
next morning in his own character. It would be an 
easy matter to say that he had fled to the inn after 
escaping from the galley slaves, and if Don Quixote 
were surprised at the absence of the Princess Mico- 
micona’s squire he could explain it by declaring that 
the lady had despatched the man with a message to 
her own kingdom. 

This being arranged, the barber returned the false 
beard, and also gave back the other things that the inn- 
keeper’s wife had lent him. The whole company 
then discussed the madness and strange doings of 
the knight of La Mancha, after which they entertained 
each other by telling stories, many of which were both 
interesting and amusing. 

Some time had passed in this way, when suddenly 
Sancho Panza rushed out of Don Quixote’s room in a 
terrible fright, crying : “ Help ! help ! come to my 
master ! he is at it now, tooth and nail, with that same 
giant. Never in my life did I see such a furious 
battle, and he has, this very moment, cut off the 
giant’s head with one blow of his sword.” 

129 1 


The History of Don Quixote 

‘‘ You are mad, Sancho,” said the priest; but just 
then they heard a loud turmoil of blows and shouting 
coming from the knight’s room. 

‘‘ Stay, villain; since I have you here, your sword shall 
avail nothing.” These words were uttered in the voice 
of Don Quixote, and then there came more knocks as if 
the champion were slashing the wall with all his force. 

‘‘ Friends ! friends !” exclaimed Sancho, ‘‘ why don’t 
you go to help my master, instead of standing there 
listening to him ? I saw the giant’s severed head with 
my own eyes, and it is bigger than the largest wine- 
skin in all Spain.” 

“ Wine-skin !” cried the innkeeper. If this Don 
Quixote of yours has been hacking the wine-skins 
that are hanging at the head of his bed, I can tell 
you he shall pay a pretty penny for it.” 

They all rushed into the knight’s room then, and 
found him, clad only in his shirt, 'and with a blanket 
from the bed wrapped round his arm as a target. 
He was still sound asleep, but in his dream had fancied 
that he was engaged in mortal combat with a great 
giant, and had therefore assaulted the wine-skins so 
furiously that the whole apartment was awash with 
red wine. 

The innkeeper, enraged at this waste, flew at 
Don Quixote with his fists, and if Cardenio and the 
priest had not hastened to drag him away, there would 
have been a battle in real earnest. As it was, nothing 
served to waken the knight until a bucket of cold water 
was thrown over him, and even then he was only 
roused from his dteam and not from his sleep. 

130 


The Princess Micomicona 

Meanwhile Sancho Panza ran up and down the 
room looking for the giant’s head, and when he could 
not find it, he felt certain that the inn was really 
bewitched as his master had always maintained. 

At last peace was restored by the priest promising 
to pay for the spilt wine, but for some time the man’s 
wife would not be consoled and bewailed her hard 
fate, crying : ‘‘ It was an ill hour when this miserable 
knight-errant came to my house. For he it was that 
went away without paying his bill ! What have we 
to do with his precious laws of chivalry ? This time 
he shall pay what he owes to the last farthing.” 

Everything was quiet again, and the company had 
returned to their stories, when the innkeeper, who 
was standing at the door, announced that he saw some 
more guests approaching. 

‘‘ A merry troop, upon my word !” he said. ‘‘ There 
are four men on horseback, wearing masks ; a lady, 
also masked and dressed in white, besides two servants.” 

‘‘ Are they near at hand ?” inquired the priest, 
and on hearing that they were at the gate, Dorothea 
veiled herself, and Cardenio slipped aside into an 
adjoining room. 

The newcomers then rode into the yard and dis- 
mounted. One of them assisted the lady to alight 
and carried her into the house in his arms. She sank 
into a chair, sighed deeply, and leaned, forward as if 
almost fainting. 

All this time none of the men removed their masks, 
and the priest, wondering at this strange behaviour, 
went into the stable and spoke to the servants, who, 

131 


The History of Don Quixote 

however, declared that they knew nothing, but had 
only been picked up on the road by the travellers. 

“ They promised to pay us well for our services,’’ 
one of the men said, ‘‘ and for sure they seem to be 
people of quality, especially he who carried the lady 
into the inn. She, indeed, appears to be little inclined 
for the journey, and, by her dress, is a nun.” 

The priest then returned to the house, and found 
Dorothea trying to comfort the lady and begging to 
know the cause of her sadness. 

To these questions there was no reply, but soon 
the gentleman who seemed to be the chief of the party 
said: “ Madam, do not trouble yourself with that 
woman. She is ungrateful and a stranger to the truth.” 

At that the unhappy creature looked up and said : 
“ Ah, sir, it is my love of truth that has brought me to 
this misery, and you are the falsest and the basest of 
men.” 

These words were' heard by Cardenio in the inner 
room, and, recognising the voice, he rushed out. The 
lady saw him and rose to her feet, the mask fell off, 
and there was the lovely face of Lucinda. 

A scene of confusion followed, but the lady clung 
to Cardenio and would not be parted from him, and 
at last Don Ferdinand, for he it was who had carried 
her into the inn, was obliged to give way to her wishes. 

It appeared that Lucinda, believing that Cardenio 
had forsaken her, had fled to a nunnery, but Don 
Ferdinand had pursued her with three of his gentlemen, 
and had carried her off. 

Now, however, everything ended happily. 

132 


The Pr incess Micomicona 

Cardenio and Lucinda were reconciled, and Don 
Ferdinand, seeing the beautiful Dorothea, fell in love 
with her anew. 

The only person who was displeased with the turn 
of events was Sancho Panza, who now discovered that 
Dorothea was not the Princess Micomicona, from 
whom he had expected so many rewards and favours. 


133 


CHAPTER XIII 


“ Some fleasant adventures at the inn^ and the story of 
the Christian slave and Zoraida, the beautiful 
Algeriand^ 

W HILE everyone was rejoicing at the good 
fortune which had come to Cardenio, Lucinda, 
Dorothea, and Don Eerdinahd, Sancho Panza 
went into his master’s room with a very glum and woe- 
begone face. He was filled with anger at the discovery 
that there was no such person as the Princess Micomi- 
cona, and disappointed to see his wonderful dreams 
and hopes disappear into thin air. 

‘‘ I trust you are none the worse for your early rising,” 
he said to his master, in a melancholy voice, “ and now, 
if you wish, you can sleep till Doomsday, for there are 
no longer any giants to kill nor princesses to restore.’’ 

‘‘ That is indeed true,” replied the knight. I have 
already slain the giant, and the battle was one of the 
most terrible in which I have ever engaged. With one 
stroke I cut off the monster’s head, and his blood 
gushed out like a river.” 

“ Blood ! Wine, you mean,” retorted Sancho 
Panza. Why, sir, you must know quite well by this 
time that this giant of yours was nothing but a full 
wine-skin, and you have wasted some thirty gallons 
of good liquor.” 


134 


Don Quixote at the Inn 

What folly is this, idiot ?” cried the other. ‘‘ Have 
you lost your wits 

‘‘ Get up and see for yourself,” was the reply. ‘‘ Who 
knows what you will have to pay for the mischief done ! 
And now here is the fine princess of yours turned into 
an ordinary private gentlewoman.” 

‘‘ Nothing that ever happens will surprise me,” 
said Don Quixote, “ for I know quite well that every- 
thing is ruled by enchantment, and that things are 
never what they seem.” 

‘‘ That may be so,” answered the squire, but if 
my tossing in the blanket was such a delusion, it was 
more like a true tossing than anything I have ever had 
in all my born days. And this same innkeeper here, 
he was one of them that tossed, and right heartily he 
did it, too. Master, it seems to me that all these 
precious adventures of yours are likely to end in nothing 
but bruises and broken bones.” 

While Sancho Panza helped his master to rise, the 
priest gave Don Ferdinand and the others an account 
of our hero’s madness, and of the steps by means of 
which they had decoyed him from the mountains. 
He added that, since Dorothea would now be unable 
to carry on the masquerade, they must design some 
new trick by which the knight might be conveyed 
to his own house. Cardenio thereupon said that 
Lucinda would be happy to play the part of the damsel- 
errant, but Don Ferdinand would not hear of a change 
being made, and declared that Dorothea should 
continue for the present in the character of the 
Princess Micomicona. 

las 


The History of Don Quixote 

‘‘ The jest must be carried out to the finish,” he 
cried, “ if this honest knight does not live very far 
away.” 

“Only two days’ journey,” was the reply; and the 
gentleman then said that he would willingly ride 
twice as far for the sake of so good and charitable a 
deed. 

At this moment, while they were still discussing 
the question, Don Quixote himself entered. He 
was in full armour, with his shield on his arm and 
Mambrino’s helmet, in which was a great hole, on his 
head. 

The knight’s appearance was so extraordinary, 
with his thin, yellow face and absurd armour, that 
Don Ferdinand and his friends, who had not seen him 
before, were struck dumb with astonishment. Don 
Quixote turned at once to Dorothea, and addressed 
her in these words : 

“ My squire tells me, fair lady, that your greatness 
has vanished, and that now, instead of a princess, you 
are but a private damsel. If it is the sorcery of your 
father that has thus transformed you, I consider that 
he is but an inferior magician. I, who am well versed 
in the wisdom of knight-errantry, could tell him that 
in every age there are champions to whom the killing 
of giants is but a trifle. Indeed, I encountered one 
myself not many hours ago. 

“ Some foolish and incredulous people may not 
believe me, but time will show that I am speaking the 
truth.” 

“ Stop!” cried the innkeeper; 

136 


“ it was with wine- 


Don Quixote at the Inn 

skins that you fought, Sir Knight, not with giants/’ 
Don Ferdinand immediately bade the man be silent, 
but Don Quixote went on speaking, without taking 
any notice of the interruption. 

“ Therefore, fair lady,” he said, ‘‘ if your father 
has bewitched you, do not be alarmed, for my 
sharp sword can cut a way through any difficulty, 
and in a few days your crown shall be restored to 
you.” 

Here the knight-errant paused for an answer, and 
Dorothea, understanding that Don Ferdinand wished 
the jest to be continued, put on a solemn face and 
replied : ‘‘ Sir Knight of the Doleful Countenance, 
whoever told you that I had changed was mistaken. 
True it is that unexpected good fortune has come to 
me, but I am still the Princess Micomicona, and 
look to you for assistance to regain my kingdom. 
Why should not we set forth on our journey to- 
morrow ?” 

On hearing these words and seeing that he had 
been deceived, Don Quixote turned upon Sancho 
Panza in a passion of rage. ‘‘ Rascal !” he cried, why 
did you tell me that the princess had been transformed 
into a simple damsel named Dorothea ? And also 
that I had not slain a giant ? How shall I punish you 
for daring to tell these lies to me, a knight-errant ?” 

‘‘ Good sir,” cried the squire, frightened by his 
master’s fury, ‘‘ I may have been mistaken about the 
princess, but as to the giant, I spoke nothing but the 
truth. You need only go into your sleeping-room, 
and there you will see the spilt wine in a puddle on the 

137 


The H istory of Don Quixote 

floor. It was good wine, too, I will take my oath of 
that, and if the innkeeper does not make you pay for 
it, he is a very civil and honest man.” 

‘‘ Sancho,” said the knight, I will pardon your 
fault. Let us say no more about the matter.” 

Yes, let there be an end of it,” put in Don 
Ferdinand. ‘‘We will obey the princess, and start ofl: 
to-morrow on our travels, for we are all eager to see 
the exploits of the famous Don Quixote, of whose 
matchless courage and prowess we have heard.” 

“ I shall be proud to serve you, sir,” said Don 
Quixote, “ and am obliged to you for your good 
opinion of me. To show myself worthy of it, I am 
ready to shed my last drop of blood.” 

Many other compliments were paid to the knight 
of La Mancha, and while this pleasant conversation 
was going on, another stranger arrived at the inn. 
His dress showed that he had lately come from 
Barbary, for he wore blue breeches, a blue cloth coat 
with short sleeves, and a blue cap. At his waist was 
slung a curved Turkish sword. 

With him rode a woman in Moorish dress with her 
face veiled. The man was tall and sunburnt, about 
forty years of age, with a beard and a flercely up- 
turned moustache. 

The stranger entered the inn and called for a 
room, seeming annoyed when told that all were full. 
However, he helped the woman to alight. The 
other guests, interested in the newcomers, crowded 
round them, and Dorothea, thinking that the woman 
might be tired with the journey, spoke to her kindly, 
138 


Don Quixote at the Inn 

and said : ‘‘ Madam, it is ill luck that there is no room 
at your disposal, but it is often so at the country inns. 
Will you not share an apartment with me and this 



“ QXaitb bim robe a woman tn /llboorieb brege/" 


lady?” She pointed to Lucinda. ‘‘We will do our 
best to make you comfortable.” 

The unknown lady said nothing, but bowed, and 
by her demeanour showed that she knew no Spanish. 

139 


The History of Don Quixote 

At this moment, however, her companion came back 
from the stable where he had been seeing to their 
animals, and said : “ Ladies, I hope that you will excuse 
this gentlewoman, but she cannot speak your language.” 

‘‘ We are only asking her to share our room,” said 
Lucinda. We will indeed do our best for her, sir, 
and give her everything that the inn affords.” 

‘‘ I am grateful to you, madam,” the other rejoined, 
‘‘ and thank you on this lady’s behalf and on my own.” 

‘‘ Is the lady a Christian ?” Lucinda then asked, and 
the man replied that she was a Moor by birth, who had 
been converted to Christianity and wished to be 
baptized. ‘‘ There was no opportunity for this to be 
done before she left Algiers, which is her native town,” 
he said, “ but I hope soon to make arrangements for 
her christening.” 

These words made all the company desire the more 
to hear who the newcomers might be, and Dorothea, 
seating herself by the Moorish lady, begged her to take 
off her veil. On this request being translated into 
Arabic, she complied, and everyone present thought 
her the most lovely creature in the world. 

Don Ferdinand then asked her name of the stranger, 
and he answered Zoraida, but the lady interrupted and 
said, ‘‘ Not Zoraida, but Maria,” this being the name 
that she intended to take at her baptism. 

It was now getting late, and the innkeeper having 
at Don Ferdinand’s command prepared the best supper 
that the place could afford, a cloth was spread on a 
long table and they all sat down. Don Quixote was 
given the place of honour at the head of the table, 
140 


Don Quixote at the Inn 

and Dorothea, at his request, seated herself by his 
side. 

There was much conversation during the meal, 
the chief speaker being the knight of La Mancha ; and 
indeed he discoursed at such length on knight-errantry 
and other subjects that he neglected his food, although 
advised several times by Sancho Panza to attend to 
his meat, as there would be plenty of time for talk 
later on. 

Supper being over at last, Don Ferdinand begged 
the stranger to give them an account of his life, saying 
that the story must needs be delightful and entertain- 
ing. The man answered that he was quite willing to 
do as they wished, so all the company seated themselves, 
and he began his tale in these words : 

“ I was born in the mountains of Leon and had 
two brothers. Our father, who had been a soldier, 
was wealthy but extravagant. When we grew to 
manhood, however, he told us that he intended to 
divide all his worldly goods into four parts, and taking 
one quarter for himself, would give us each a share so 
that we might go out and make our own way in the 
world. To this we agreed; my youngest brother 
choosing a learned profession, while the other decided 
to go to the Indies as a merchant. I, the eldest of 
the three, made up my mind to be a soldier, for, as 
our father often used to say, ‘ the king’s chaff is 
better than the men’s corn.’ 

“ Our shares of the fortune amounted to three 
thousand crowns apiece, but of this we refused to take 
more than one thousand each, giving the rest back to 
141 


The History of Don Quixote 

our father. We then bade him farewell and left his 
house. That happened more than twenty years ago, 
but although I wrote to my father several times, 
I have never heard anything of either him or my 
brothers. 

“ I will not now delay to tell you of all my adventures. 
It is enough to say that I fought under the Duke of 
Alva in Flanders and entered the army of Don Juan 
of Austria. I was present with him at the great Battle 
of Lepanto against the Turks, but there, as luck would 
have it, I was taken prisoner and found myself that 
same night with manacled hands and with irons on 
my feet. 

“ After that I was carried away to Constantinople? 
and given as a slave to my captor, Vehali, a bold pirate 
and the King of Algiers. During the second year of 
my captivity, I took part as a galley slave in the Battle 
of Navarino, and was also present at the capture of 
Goletta, when more than twenty-five thousand of the 
pagans were slain. 

‘‘Among the Christians who were taken prisoners 
at this last battle was one, Don Pedro d’Aguilar, a very 
brave man and a poet.' I mention him because he 
rowed in the same galley as I did, and was chained to 
the same bench.” 

When the name of Don Pedro d’Aguilar was 
mentioned, Don Ferdinand glanced at his companions 
and smiled. “What happened to that same Don 
Pedro ?” asked one of the gentlemen, and the stranger 
replied that after being two years a captive he escaped 
disguised as a Dalmatian trooper. 

142 


Don Quixote at the Inn 

The gentleman then said: “ I can tell you, sir, 
what became of him later, for he reached Spain safely 
and is now rich and prosperous.” 

“ Thank God for that,” said the other, and then 
he repeated to the company some of the sonnets that 
the poet had written during his captivity. 


H3 


CHAPTER XIV 


“ Continuation of the story of the Christian slave and 
Zoraida^ the beautiful Algerian 

T he sonnets of the captive poet were greatly 
admired by the company. When the applause 
with which they were greeted came to an end, 
the story was continued. 

“ Not long after the fight at Goletta,” said the 
slave, ‘‘ my master, Vehali, died, and his three thousand 
captives were then divided. I fell to the share of a 
Venetian renegade named Azanaga, who now became 
King of Algiers. He took me with him to that city, 
and I was glad, for not only was it nearer to Spain than 
Constantinople, but there might be opportunities of 
escape. I had tried to run away again and again while 
in Turkey, but had never met with success. 

“ In Algiers I was lodged with the king’s slaves — 
that is to say, with those captives who are held for 
ransom — for, having discovered that I had been a 
captain in Don Juan’s army, the Turks believed me 
to be a person of wealth and quality, although I had 
often told them that this was not the case, and that 
I could never pay the large sum necessary to obtain 
my freedom. The king’s slaves were not, as a rule, 
required to work, but we were cruelly treated by 
our guards, and]had]to endure blows and hunger. 

HI 


The Christian Slave 

Overlooking the courtyard of our prison there 
was a large house belonging to a rich Moor. It had, 
after the fashion of the country, very small windows, 
and these were furnished with lattices made of wood. 

‘‘ One day I and three of my comrades were 
amusing ourselves in the yard by trying who could 
jump farthest in his chains, when, looking up, I 
chanced to see a long cane appear at one of the windows 
of this house. There was a piece of white linen at 
the end of the cane, and it was moved up and down, 
eluding my friends who tried to grasp it. When I 
approached, however, the cane fell at my feet. I 
picked it up, and, unwrapping the linen, found money, 
in value about two crowns. 

“ This adventure was very surprising, for we knew 
not who our benefactor could be, but on looking at 
the window again, we saw a white hand shutting the 
lattice, and therefore guessed that a woman had done 
us the favour. Thereupon we all bowed low after 
the Turkish manner to show our gratitude, and then 
saw at the window a little cross made of two pieces 
of cane bound together. 

‘‘We now felt sure that some Christian woman 
was a slave in that house, and resolved to watch the 
window diligently. 

“ Fourteen days passed away without further 
incident, and we were beginning to despair, when the 
cane appeared again, and this time it brought no less 
than forty crowns. With the money was a letter 
written in Arabic, and with a large cross marked at 
the top of the paper. 

145 K • 


The History of Don Quixote 

‘‘ None of us could read this language, but a 
renegade Spaniard translated the letter to me, and 
from it I learnt that the writer was a Moorish maiden 
who had been converted to Christianity by a Christian 
slave who had been in her service. The lady, it 
appeared, was young, handsome, and wealthy, and she 
longed to escape in order to reach Spain, where she 
might practise her new religion. She had chosen me 
to assist her in this enterprise, and said in the letter 
that, if I wished, she would marry me when we reached 
my own country. Attached to the cane was a thread, 
and she entreated me to write an answer and send it 
to her by this means. 

‘‘ The renegade Spaniard promised to keep the 
matter a secret, and at my dictation he wrote an 
answer to the letter, in which I promised to observe 
the lady’s wishes in every way, to escape with her if 
it were possible, and to wed her when we arrived in 
Spain. 

‘‘ Two days later the cane appeared again with 
some fifty crowns. 

“ That same evening the renegade visited us, 
and said that the house with the lattice windows 
belonged to a Moor named Agimorato, who had a 
beautiful daughter. The maid was called Zoraida, 
but now, being a Christian, she wished her name to 
be Maria. 

‘‘ She was, so it was said, the fairest damsel in 
Barbary, and heiress to all her father’s riches. 

“ I then with my three friends and the renegade 
held a council together as to how we might escape 
146 


The Christian Slave 

with the maid. The Spaniard promised to help us, 
and, indeed, declared that he would willingly risk his 
life in order to deliver us from captivity. 

‘‘ Four days after that I received another hundred 
crowns from Zoraida, together with a letter in these 
words : 

‘ I cannot tell you, sir, how we may contrive to 
escape to Spain, but I can furnish you with money. 
Pay your ransom and those of your friends with the 
gold, and do one of you go to Spain, buy a boat there, 
and come back to fetch the rest. As for me, I shall 
be found in my father’s garden outside the walls of the 
city, and near the sea. If you cannot trust one of 
your comrades to fetch the boat, pay your ransom and 
go yourself, for I know that you are a Christian and a 
gentleman.’ 

‘‘ On reading this letter, we all offered to be the 
one to fetch the boat, but the renegade would not 
agree to this proposal. He said that it would be better 
for him to purchase the vessel in Barbary, which he 
could easily do with the assistance of a Moor, who 
would be his partner. 

We agreed unwillingly to this scheme, for we 
wished to go to Spain for the boat as the lady had 
commanded. However, we feared that if we opposed 
the Spaniard in the matter, he might betray us all. 

Later, Zoraida gave us another three thousand 
crowns, so we paid our ransoms and gave the renegade 
five hundred crowns with which to buy a boat as 
arranged. 

‘‘ About a fortnight after this a fine boat, large 
H7 


The History of Don Quixote 

enough to hold thirty people, was obtained, and in it 
the renegade made several voyages, and, in order that 
no suspicions might be aroused later, he often cast 
anchor near the garden where Zoraida was to meet us. 

As for me, I engaged twelve Spaniards, men who 
could easily get out of the city, to accompany us, and 
then turned my attention to considering how we 
might let Zoraida know of our plans. 

“ With this end in view, I went one day to her 
father’s garden, and asked permission to gather a few 
herbs for a salad. The Moor, Agimorato, willingly 
gave me leave to do this, and while we were talking 
together, his daughter Zoraida came out of a summer- 
house and saw me. 

‘‘ Never in all my life had I beheld so fair a maiden, 
and her rich dress and costly jewels added to her 
charms. Her feet were bare, after the fashion of the 
country, and round each ankle was a massive bracelet 
of gold set with diamonds, while her neck and head 
were decked with fine pearls. 

When the lady came near to us, her father told 
her that I was a Christian slave, and then she, pretend- 
ing not to know me, asked whether I had been ransomed. 
I replied that I had, and she then said : ‘ When do you 
go home to Spain ?’ 

“ ‘ To-morrow night,’ I replied, and by this means 
managed to tell her of our arrangements without her 
father suspecting anything. 

“ The next evening our boat cast anchor near the 
garden, and, having by good fortune found the gate 
open, I and my companions entered and made our 
148 


The Christian Slave 


way silently to the house. The Lady Zoraida was 
waiting, and when we had greeted her, she brought 
out of the building a box of gold, so heavy that she 
scarce could lift it. -■ 

‘‘We were about to return to our vessel when, 
as luck would have it, the Moor, Agimorato, awoke, 
and looking out of a window, saw us and gave the alarm, 
crying, ‘ Thieves ! Christians I Thieves !’ 

“ The cries terrified us, but the renegade rushed 
into the house with some of our company, seized the 
man, bound him hand and foot, and thrust a gag into 
his mouth. They then carried him down to the boat, 
and we embarked. 

“ When we were safely on board, we unbound the 
Moor. He was amazed to see his daughter with us, 
and his astonishment inc eased when he saw that she 
accompanied us of her own free will. 

“ Zoraida then told the whole story, saying that she 
was a Christian, and desired to escape to Spain. Her 
father was infuriated when he heard this, and flung him- 
self into the sea. However, we rescued him, and later 
on set him ashore on the coast of his own country. 

“ This done, I consoled Zoraida as best I could, 
and we continued our voyage. 

“ The wind was now favourable and .for a time 
everything went well, but about midnight, when we 
were making good speed under full sail, we saw a ship 
approaching us in the moonlight. It came nearer, 
and then the men on board hailed us, asking whence 
we came and whither we were going. 

“ They spoke in French, and the renegade forbade 
149 


The History of Don Quixote 

US to answer, saying : ‘ Without doubt these are pirates 
from France.’ 

We kept silence, therefore, but it was of no avail, 
for the pirates pursued us, sunk us, and took us aboard 
their own vessel. 

‘‘ The renegade had time, unperceived, to fling 



set bim asbore on tbe coast of bis own country. 


Zoraida’s treasure into the sea, but the French robbers 
took the jewels that the lady was wearing, and plun- 
dered us of everything that we possessed. 

“ At daybreak the pirate captain, not wishing to 
take us into the port of Rochelle, whither he was bound, 
put us into the long boat together with some water 
150 


The Christian Slave 

and a little biscuit . He also, touched, I suppose, with 
remorse, presented Zoraida with forty crowns. We 
sailed away, thankful to escape with our lives. 

We journeyed all day, and at night managed to 
land on a sandy beach; and immediately all threw 
ourselves down and kissed the earth, giving thanks for 
our deliverance. When morning came we made our 
way inland. Before long we heard the sound of a 
flute, and came upon a young shepherd sitting under 
a cork-tree and tending his flock. 

We called to the boy, but he, seeing us in Moorish 
dress, thought that we were barbarians, and fled away, 
crying : ‘ The Moors ! Arm ! Arm ! The Moors have 
landed !’ 

‘‘ Soon after, the horse-guard of the coast appeared, 
summoned by the lad ; but they, hearing that we were 
escaped slaves, welcomed us kindly, and accompanied 
us to the city of Velez Malaga, which was about a 
league and a half away. 

‘‘ We remained in that place for a short time, and 
then our little company dispersed, each going his own 
way. With the forty crowns given to Zoraida by 
the pirate captain I bought an ass, and we are now 
on our way to my old home in order to see if my 
father is still alive, and to discover how my two brothers 
have fared. 

For my part, I have made no fortune, nor have 
I won renown, but I have Zoraida, who is more to me 
than any riches. 

‘‘ And now, gentlemen, this is the end of my story, 
and I hope that you have not found it a tedious one.” 

151 


CHAPTER XV 


“ The story of some strange and unheard-of adventures 
that happened to Don Quixote at the inn which 
he believed to be a castled 

W HEN the stranger had finished his story, 
Don Ferdinand thanked him in the name of 
the whole company, and said: ‘‘Truly, sir, 
your wonderful adventures and the manner in which 
you have related the history of them has delighted 
us, and we could willingly listen to it all again, even if 
the recital lasted until to-morrow morning.” 

Cardenio and the others joined in the thanks and 
compliments, and then Don Ferdinand promised that 
when Zoraida was baptized, his brother, the marquis, 
should be her godfather. 

While they were all thus conversing together, a 
coach accompanied by some horsemen drew up at 
the inn door. The travellers asked for accommodation, 
but were told by the hostess that the house had already 
as many guests as could be packed into it. 

“ Were it ten times as full as it is,” cried one of 
the horsemen, “ you must needs' find room for my 
Lord Judge, who is in the coach.” 

“ Sir, we have not one bed empty,” protested 
the innkeeper’s wife, “ but, if his lordship has 
152 


Some Strange Adventures 

brought a bed with him, he shall command my whole 
house.” 

By this time a gentleman wearing a long coat with 
hanging sleeves had alighted from the coach, and it 
was easy to see that he was a person of great importance. 
He led by the hand a young lady of about sixteen 
years of age, clad in a riding-suit, and she was so fair and 
charming that, had there not been many other beauti- 
ful ladies present, one would have said it would be 
difficult to find her match. 

Don Quixote, seeing the newcomers at the door, 
advanced to meet them, and said : ‘‘ Sir, I pray you 
enter this castle undismayed, for although it is small 
and ill-furnished, yet must it needs find accommodation 
for a man of your learning and for the lovely damsel 
with you. Not only would any castle in the world 
open its gates for her, but even the solid rocks would 
break asunder to make way for one so beautiful.” 

The judge was astonished, as was only natural, 
at our hero’s garb and speech, and his wonder increased 
when he beheld the ladies who now came out of the 
inn to see the new arrivals. 

However, when Cardenio and Don Ferdinand 
addressed him, he was convinced that he had to do 
with gentlemen of note, and arrangements were soon 
made for the night’s lodging. It was agreed that all 
the ladies should share an apartment together, and 
that the innkeeper should turn out of his own chamber 
to make room for his lordship. 

When the released slave — or the captain, to give 
him his old title — saw the judge, he at once felt con- 
153 


The History of Don Quixote 

vinced that he was one of his brothers, and on question- 
ing the servants, it appeared that this was indeed the 
case. He therefore called aside Cardenio and the 
priest, and consulted them as to what he should do, 
saying that his brother, Juan Perez de Viedma, had 
been made a judge of the Mexican Court, and now, 
after a visit to Spain, was on the way back to the 
Indies with his young daughter. The captain 
added that he was eager to discover himself to his 
brother, but hesitated, not knowing what kind of a 
reception he might receive. 

‘‘ Why should you doubt that it will be a kind 
one ?” asked the priest. 

Because I am only a poor man,” was the reply, 
“ and would like to be certain of his affection for me. 
If he were ashamed to acknowledge me, I should be 
ashamed of having made myself known to him.” 

“ Leave the matter to me,” said the good priest. 

I do not believe that your brother is a hard man, 
and I am sure that he will welcome you with love and 
joy. However, as you are anxious, I will test him.” 

He therefore went up to the judge, who was at 
supper, and entered into conversation with him, in 
the course of which he remarked: My lord, some 
years ago, when I was a prisoner in Constantinople, 
I became acquainted with a gentleman of your name 
who had been a captain in the Spanish infantry.” 

“ Pray tell me what was his name, sir,” inquired 
the judge eagerly. 

‘‘ It was Ruy Perez de Viedma,” said the priest; 
and then he told the whole story of the captain’s 

154 


Some Strange Adventures 

adventures, and of his escape from Barbary with the 
beautiful Moorish maiden, Zoraida. 

All this time the captain himself stood in a corner 
of the room, unobserved, but listening to everything 
that was said, and watching his brother’s face intently. 

When the priest’s tale came to an end the judge 
sighed and, with tears in his eyes, exclaimed : Oh, sir ! 
what you say touches me deeply, for this captain is my 
eldest brother, of whom we have heard nothing for 
many years. My father is still alive, but grieves always 
for his lost son, and longs to see him again before he 
dies. If only we had known that my brother was a 
captive, he need not have waited to be delivered from 
slavery by this Algerian lady. We would willingly 
have paid whatever ransom was required. But, sir, 
how can I discover where my brother is now, so that 
we may welcome him and the beautiful Zoraida ?” 

The priest, seeing that everything was satisfactory, 
went to the ladies’ room and returned leading Zoraida 
by the hand. ‘‘ This is your brother’s deliverer,” he 
said, ‘‘ and here is Captain Viedma himself.” The 
captain then came forward, and the delight of both 
him and his brother may be imagined. The whole 
company rejoiced with them, and it was arranged that 
they should all go to the city of Seville together, when 
the baptism and marriage of Zoraida could take place ; 
and it was hoped that the old father would be able 
to travel to the city in order to witness the ceremonies. 

Afterwards the judge and his daughter would 
continue their journey, for the Spanish ships were 
already at Seville waiting to sail for the Indies. 

155 


The History of Don Quixote 

As it was now very late, all the company betook 
themselves to their beds, with the exception of Don 
Quixote, who believed that it was his duty to guard 
the castle by night, in case some giant or dragon should 
attack it. He therefore mounted Rosinante and 
stationed himself in front of the building. 

The travellers all thanked the knight for his care of 
them, and the judge, being informed of the matter, 
was amused and pleased. Only Sancho Panza felt 
uneasy, for he knew that his master, standing sentinel 
in the yard of the inn, might meet with many unfor- 
tunate adventures, as was his wont. However, as he 
could do nothing in the matter, he retired to the stable, 
and settled himself comfortably for the night, with his 
head pillowed against the pack-saddle of his ass. 

There was now a deep silence through the inn, 
but the host’s daughter and the serving-maid were still 
awake, and they watched Don Quixote through the 
window of a loft, as he kept guard over the house which 
he still believed to be a castle. Every now and then 
he sighed deeply, or called on the name of his lady, 
saying: ‘‘ Oh, my beloved Dulcinea del Torboso, how 
are you employed at this moment ? May I hope that 
you are thinking of your knight-errant, who has endured 
so many hardships and braved so many dangers for 
your sweet sake ?” 

The two girls at the loft window, hearing this 
grand speech, made up their minds to have a little fun 
at the knight’s expense; so, having fetched the halter 
of Sancho Panza’s ass from the stable, they leaned out 
of the window and called to him. Don Quixote came 
156 


Some Strange Adventures 

near, and then they declared that they were fair ladies 
of the castle, who, having heard of the famous hero 
of La Mancha and of his marvellous exploits, begged 
him now to reach up his hand to the window that they 
might have the honour of kissing it. 

Don Quixote was gratified by this fiattery, and 
coming close to the wall of the house, he climbed on 
to the saddle and stood upright so that he might the 
better be able to reach the window with his hand. 
‘‘ Here, madam,” he said, “ take this hand of mine, 
which is the executioner of all evildoers. I do not 
only hold it up that you may kiss it, but also that you 
may see its strength and know how mighty is the arm 
to which it is joined.” 

‘‘We shall see about that soon,” said the maid; 
and then she slipped one end of the halter in which 
she had made a noose over the knight’s wrist, pulled it 
tight, and tied the other end to the door-key. Don 
Quixote was thus made prisoner, and the two girls, 
almost dying with laughter, ran away well pleased 
with the success of their escapade. 

Our hero, left in this dangerous position — for he 
knew that if Rosinante moved but a step or two 
he should be hanging by his arm from the window — ■ 
concluded that he had been bewitched, and began to 
bewail his hard fate and to call loudly to his squire for 
help. Sancho Panza, however, was sleeping soundly 
in the stable, and when dawn came his master was still 
standing on his horse’s back with his arm securely 
fastened. 

Before long, however, and while it was still twilight 

H7 


The History of Don Quixote 

the sound of horses’ hoofs was heard, and four men rode 
up to the inn gate and began to knock loudly. 

Don Quixote, seeing them, shouted in a loud voice : 
Knights or squires, or whatever you may be, it is 
useless for you to attempt to enter this castle now. 



wa6 left banking In mlbsalr.^" 


Retire until it is clear day, and see then if they will 
admit you.” 

“ Why, what place is this ?” asked one of the horse- 
men. “ If you are the innkeeper, open the door for us. 
We are in a hurry.” 

158 


Some Strange Adventures 

‘‘ Gentleman,” cried Don Quixote angrily, “ what 
are you saying ? Do I look like an innkeeper ?” 

“ I don’t know what you are,” retorted the man, 
“ but you talk like a lunatic if you call this place a 
castle.” With that he began to knock more violently 
than before, and the innkeeper, awakened by the noise, 
got up and came to the door. At this instant, too, 
as it happened, Rosinante moved away, and, Don 
Quixote’s feet slipping from the saddle, he was left 
hanging in mid-air and shouting lustily for assistance. 

His outcries were soon heard by the host’s daughter 
and by the serving-maid, and they, thinking that it was 
time for the joke to end, ran back to the loft and cut the 
halter. The knight fell heavily to the ground, but 
he was not injured, and before anyone could go to 
his help he sprang up, mounted his horse, brandished 
his spear, and declared that he was ready to fight 
whosoever dared to say that he had been justly 
bewitched. The newcomers were amazed at this 
extraordinary conduct, but on hearing from the inn- 
keeper that the knight was mad, they took no further 
notice of his antics. 


159 


CHAPTER XVI 


“ The controversy about the helmet of Mambrino^ and 
how Don Quixote was arrested by an officer of the 
law.’’ 

D on QUIXOTE was very much annoyed to 
find that his threats and challenges were alike 
disregarded, but at this moment another 
traveller arrived at the inn, and who should it prove 
to be but the barber from whom the knight had taken 
the basin which he called Mambrino’s helmet. 

The man led his ass into the stable, and there he 
caught sight of Sancho Panza, whom he recognised at 
once. 

“ Thief ! Rogue !” he shouted at the top of his 
voice, and then, when everyone came running to see 
what was the matter, he cried : Gentlemen, help me 
to get back my property, for this villain and his master 
robbed me on the king’s highway, and took from me 
a special new basin that had cost me a crown.” 

‘‘ That is a lie,” yelled Sancho; ‘‘ it was not robbery, 
but lawful plunder, won by my lord, Don Quixote, 
on the field of battle.” 

The knight himself now arrived upon the scene, 
and greatly approved his squire’s behaviour. He 
thrust himself between the two men and, turning 
to the company, said: ‘‘ Sirs, that you may know how 
i6o 


How Don Quixote was arrested 

foolish is this claim against me, let me tell you that this 
thing which he degrades by the name of a barber's 
basin is nothing less than the famous golden helmet 
of Mambrino, which I won from him by force of arms. 
To show you that what I say is true, do you, Sancho, 
run and produce the helmet.” 

“ Upon my word, sir !” cried Sancho, alarmed, 
‘‘ if this is to be the proof of our innocence, the helmet 
will show itself as arrant a basin as ever was seen.” 

‘‘Obey me, sir,” commanded Don Quixote; “it 
is not possible that everything in this castle is be- 
witched.” 

Sancho then fetched the basin, which his master 
held up in his hand, saying : “ How can anyone dare 
say that this is a basin and not a helmet ? I swear 
by my knighthood that it is the same head-piece that 
I won from this man.” 

“ Indeed, it is that,” said Sancho, “ and since he 
won it my master has fought in but one battle, and 
then it is certain that his brains would have been 
dashed out by the stones of the galley slaves if it had 
not been for this same helmet-basin, which saved his 
life.” 

The barber then turned to the onlookers, and 
said to them : “ Good gentlemen, let us have your 
opinions of the matter. I suppose you will not deny 
that this is nothing but a basin.” 

“ He that dares to affirm such a thing,” interrupted 
Don Quixote, “must know that he is telling a lie: 
a plain lie if he is a knight, and an abominable one if 
he is a mere squire.” 

l6l L 


The History of Don Quixote 

The priest, Cardenio, and Don Ferdinand, were 
amused with this foolish parley, and to humour the 
knight pretended that they believed the brass basin 
to be really a helmet, whereupon the barber, com- 
pletely bewildered, flew into a rage and declared that, 
come what might, he would have his property returned 
to him. 

Just at this moment, three other travellers arrived, 
and, as luck would have it, they were officers of the 
Crown. They listened to the controversy, and when 
it was asserted that the basin was a gold helmet, one 
of them cried : ‘‘ What foolishness is this ? He that 
calls this thing a helmet is either a madman or a fool.” 

“ You lie, unmannerly rogue !” exclaimed Don 
Quixote, when he heard this speech; and then he 
rushed forward, and had the man not leaped aside 
quickly, would have killed him. As it was, the lance 
was broken into pieces against the wall of the house. 
All was now confusion. The other officers ran forward 
to help their fellow, the innkeeper hurried to fetch 
his sword, the ladies were terrified, and Sancho Panza 
struggled fiercely with the barber for the possession 
of the brass basin. 

Don Quixote, seeing that his spear was broken, now 
drew his sword; but in the middle of the turmoil he 
suddenly remembered his old stories of knight-errantry, 
and called out in such a loud voice that it seemed to 
shake the whole house : ‘‘ Sirs, sheath your weapons, for 
this castle is enchanted, and within it are some legions 
of demons. Can you not see them now ? And, 
behold, we ourselves do not know how or why 
162 


we 


H ow Don Quixote was arrested 

fight. As to this dispute of the helmet, let my Lord 
Judge and his reverence the priest arrange the matter.” 

These words were Greek to the officers, and now 
another difficulty arose, for one of them produced a 
warrant and arrested Don Quixote for the crime of 
having freed the galley slaves. ‘‘You are the king’s 
prisoner,” he said, and with that he laid his hand on 
the knight’s collar. 

Our hero was enraged at this rough treatment, 
but he would assuredly have been carried off to prison 
had not the priest interposed and told the officers 
that the poor gentleman was mad - which, indeed, 
was easily seen to be the case. 

At first the man that had the warrant refused to 
listen to this excuse, saying that it was no business of 
his, and that he must obey orders; but at last he 
allowed himself to be persuaded, and not only freed 
the knight, but offered to settle the controversy be- 
tween Sancho Panza and the barber. This matter 
was at last decided by the priest offering to pay eight 
shillings for the basin, so that Don Quixote was at 
liberty to call it a helmet, if he wished, till Doomsday. 

Everyone was now satisfied except the innkeeper, 
who, as the barber had received money, clamoured 
for the payment of his bill. 

Don Quixote, as before, refused to pay him any- 
thing, saying that this was the custom of knights- 
errant. The host then declared that if this was 
the case he would keep Rosinante and Sancho’s ass, 
but he was at last appeased on Don Ferdinand offer- 
ing to settle the account. 

163 


The History of Don Quixote 

Our hero, being now free from all his difficulties, 
thought that it was high time for him to set out once 
more on his journey, so he went up to Dorothea, and 
fell on his knees in front of her. 

“ Most beautiful lady,” he said, ‘‘ a proverb tells 
us that diligence is the mother of success, and that, 
in warfare, it is always best to force a victory before 
an assault is expected by the enemy. This castle, 
dear princess, is a dangerous place, and, besides, 
if we linger, the giant who has invaded your kingdom 
may hear of our plans and shut himself up in some 
strong fortress. Let us therefore, madam, depart 
hence without delay.” 

Here he stopped, and the lady replied gravely 
in these words : 

“ Sir Knight,” she said, the great desire that you 
show to right wrongs and help the injured makes you 
worthy of the praise and thanks of the whole world. 
As to the time of our departure, that I leave to you, 
having given myself and my affairs entirely into your 
hands.” 

“ Then we will go at once,” declared Don Quixote, 
rising to his feet. “ Fly, Sancho, saddle Rosinante, 
harness your ass, and make ready the lady’s mule. Let 
us take leave of the governor of the castle and of these 
lords and ladies without delay.” 

Sancho Panza shook his head sadly when he heard 
this command. ‘‘ Master,” he said, “ certain it is 
that this same lady here, who calls herself the Princess 
Micomicona, is no more a queen than my grand- 
mother. I think, sir, that instead of starting off again, 
164 



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H ow Don Quixote was arrested 

we had better stay where we are and leave adventures 
alone.” 

At these words Don Quixote flew into a fury, 
as was his wont. He trembled with rage, his voice 
shook, and his eyes blazed. “You villain!” he cried. 
“ How dare you say these things ? Away with you, 
and never let me see your face again.” 

All that poor Sancho could do now was to slink 
out of his master’s presence, but Dorothea did her 
best to calm the infuriated gentleman. 

“ Sir Knight of the Doleful Countenance,” she 
said gently, “ it is below your dignity to be angered 
with your squire in this fashion. Most likely he is 
himself under some strange spell, for enchantments 
of all sorts seem to be at work in this castle.” 

“ Why, truly you are right,” cried Don Quixote, 
completely pacified by these words; “that is the key 
to the whole matter. Doubtless the poor wretch is 
bewitched and is in the power of some sorcerer.” 

The priest and Don Ferdinand then begged him 
to pardon Sancho, and the squire was brought back. 
He still trembled at the memory of his master’s wrath, 
and was quite ready to make a humble acknowledgment 
of his fault. 

Don Quixote forgave his servant very graciously, 
and said: “Now, Sancho, my friend, will you not for 
the future believe what I have told you again and again ? 
Everything in this castle is ruled by enchantment.” 

“ Indeed, master,” cried the penitent Sancho, “ I 
will believe that everything here is a delusion — every- 
thing, that is, except my tossing in the blanket. 

167 


The H istory of Don Quixote 

That was real enough, and happened in the ordinary 
course of things.” 

“Do not say that,” quoth the other; “you are 
wrong indeed, for, if it had been a real happening, I 
should long ago have revenged myself on those who 
treated you so cruelly.” 

The rest of the company now desired to know 
about the business in question, and the innkeeper 
gave them so true an account of Sancho’s tossing that 
they all laughed heartily. The squire would have 
been angry at their amusement, if his master had not 
assured him that it, like everything else, was a delusion. 
Sancho did not believe this statement, but, remember- 
ing his master’s fiery temper, was wise enough to hold 
his tongue. 


CHAPTER XVII 


‘‘ The story of Don Quixote^ s enchantment, together with 
the rare adventure of the procession of pilgrimsd^ 

W HEN the company had passed two days at 
the inn, it was decided that an attempt should 
be made to take Don Quixote home without 
Dorothea and Don Ferdinand having to be put to 
further trouble in the matter. 

The priest and Master Nicholas the barber agreed, 
therefore, that this time force as well as cunning should 
be employed; so they arranged for a wooden cage to 
be made, .so large that in it a person could either sit 
up or lie down in comfort. This cage was to be drawn 
along the road by a waggoner with a team of oxen. 

These plans being complete, the whole company 
of gentlemen disguised themselves as so many demons, 
and painted their faces or covered them with masks. 
They entered the knight’s room while he was asleep, 
and seized his arms and legs so that he could not move, 
and on waking could only stare in bewilderment at the 
strange figures that stood round his bed, which he 
took to be the imps of the enchanted castle. 

Only Sancho Panza was in his right shape and 
character, and he did nothing to undeceive his master, 
but watched patiently, resolved to see the matter 
through. 


169 


The History of Don Quixote 

Don Quixote likewise kept silence, for he firmly 
believed that he was under some terrible spell, and 
he submitted patiently when the demons lifted him 
from his bed and placed him in the cage. Then one 
of them, who was really the barber, said in a loud, 
dreadful voice: “Oh, Knight of the Doleful Counte- 
nance, be not angered at your imprisonment, which is 
surely ordered by Fate. The lion of La Mancha shall 
soon be united to the white dove of Torboso, and 
you shall find yourself ennobled and rewarded beyond 
your greatest dreams. Farewell, knight, for now I 
return — I know not whither.” 

During this speech the barber managed his voice 
so skilfully that even those who were in the plot might 
have imagined it to be supernatural. 

Don Quixote was much comforted by the demon’s 
utterances, for he took it to mean that he would soon 
be married to the fair Lady Dulcinea. He therefore 
said in reply: “ Sir, whoever you may be, I thank you 
for your happy prophecy, and beg you to implore the 
great magician, in whose power I am, to protect me. 
As to my squire, I know him to be an honest man, 
and doubt not that he will be faithful to me now; even 
if Fate should make me unable to give him the island 
that I have promised him as a reward for his services, he 
shall at least receive his wages in full.” 

Sancho Panza, hearing this, bowed respectfully 
and kissed his master’s hands. The cage was then 
hoisted on to the waggon and everything was made 
ready for departure. Rosinante was saddled and 
Don Quixote’s shield and helmet were fastened to the 
170 


Don Quixote’s Enchantment 

pommels, Sancho mounted his ass, the knight bade 
farewell to the innkeeper and his wife, and two officers 
with carbines placed themselves on either side of the 
prisoner. 



**Zbcn tbe strange procession started."' 


The priest and the barber, meanwhile, took leave 
of the rest of the company, and then the strange pro- 
cession started, Don Quixote sitting upright in his cage 
171 


The History of Don Quixote 

as silent and as motionless as if lie had been a statue 
instead of a man. 

The party had not travelled more than six miles 
in a slow and leisurely fashion, when they saw approach- 
ing a number of horsemen. These travellers proved 
to be churchmen, one of them a canon of the cathedral 
of Toledo, and when they saw the cage and its inmate 
they questioned the guard. Don Quixote, over- 
hearing the conversation, explained that he was, by 
profession, a knight-errant, and that he had been 
enchanted by some powerful wizard. 

The priest and the barber gravely confirmed this 
story, and the canon was so amazed that he decided 
to join company with the party in order to hear more of 
the matter. They all therefore journeyed on together, 
and the hours passed pleasantly enough in conversa- 
tions on knight-errantry and other interesting subjects. 

Later in the day a halt was made for rest and re- 
freshment, and the prisoner, having given his word of 
honour not to escape, was allowed to come out of 
the cage and stretch his cramped limbs. 

They all sat down on the grass to enjoy a meal, 
and while they were thus engaged a procession of 
pilgrims was seen, consisting of a number of men and 
women wearing white hoods. They were on their way 
to a shrine in the neighbourhood, and carried with 
them a large image of a saint. 

Don Quixote, as was his habit, immediately 
believed that here was an adventure, and he mistook 
the image for some unfortunate lady whom miscreant 
knights were carrying away against her will. 

172 


Don Quixote’s Enchantment 

He therefore rose hastily, ran to Rosinante, who was 
grazing at a little distance, mounted her, and, drawing 
his sword, galloped towards the pilgrims at a good pace. 

The priest and the barber tried to stop their foolish 
friend, but in vain; and Sancho shouted at the top of 
his voice: ‘‘Master, master, are you crazy? This is 
a party of holy pilgrims. Stop ! or men will say that 
you have lost your wits.” 

Sancho Panza, however, might have spared his 
breath, for the knight took no notice of him whatever, 
but rode up to the pilgrims and ordered them to halt 
instantly, crying: “ I charge you, villains, release 
immediately the beautiful lady whom you have carried 
away by violence. This do without delay, or I, who 
was born to prevent such outrages, will not allow you 
to advance a single step.” 

This speech only made the pilgrims laugh heartily, 
and then Don Quixote, losing his temper, attacked the 
men who carried the image with great fury. The 
fellows, however, resisted the assault, and that with such 
success that in a few minutes the knight was struck 
down to the ground, where he lay motionless as if dead. 

Sancho Panza and the others now hurried to the 
scene of the encounter, and then the poor squire, 
seeing his master, as he thought, a dead man, threw 
himself on to his knees and lamented his loss in no 
measured terms. “ Oh, flower of knighthood !” he 
cried, “ what an unlucky end thou hast come to ! Thou 
who wast the glory of La Mancha and of the whole 
world, which now, without thee, will be desolate and 
overrun with robbers and miscreants.” 

173 


The History of Don Quixote 

The woeful voice of his servant roused Don Quixote 
from his swoon, and he then said: “ Oh, Sancho, help 
me once more, I pray you, into the enchanted car, for 
I am now in no condition to mount Rosinanted’ 

‘‘ With all my heart, sir,” cried Sancho, overjoyed 
to see that his master was still alive, ‘‘ and would it 
not be well for us now to go back to our own village 
with these gentlemen, your friends ? At home we will 
think of some new journey, which perchance will be 
more fortunate and profitable than this one has been.” 

‘‘ It shall be as you say, my friend,” replied the 
knight ; and then Don Quixote was lifted up and placed 
on a truss of hay in the waggon, after which the pro- 
cession started off once more. 

In about six days’ time the knight’s native village 
was reached, and there, as it was a Sunday, all the people 
were assembled together in the market-place. Their 
amazement when they saw the travellers knew no 
bounds, and while they were gaping and chattering, 
a little boy ran off to Don Quixote’s house and told 
the housekeeper and the niece that their master was 
returning, looking lean and frightful, and lying in a 
waggon drawn by oxen. 

The two poor women were horrified when they 
heard this sad news, but they received the knight with 
many tears, and, putting him to bed, set to work to cure 
him of his injuries. 

The priest then had a conversation with Don 
Quixote’s niece, and charged her to be very tender 
and careful with her uncle, and also to keep a sharp 
watch lest he should make plans for another journey. 

174 


Don Quixote’s Enchantment 

He informed her, at the same time, of the great trouble 
and expense that he and the barber had been put to in 
getting him home. The young woman began to weep 
afresh when she heard this, and protested that it was 
all the fault of the books on knight-errantry, and that 
she had no doubt at all that her uncle would want to 
be off again as soon as he had recovered. This, indeed, 
soon proved to be the case. 

Sancho Panza, meanwhile, had gone to his own 
home. He was greeted by his wife with the words, 
‘‘ Is the ass well ?” And when she heard that the animal 
had never been better in its life, she asked him whether 
he had brought her home a new dress, a petticoat, 
or perhaps some shoes for the children, as a result of 
his squiring. 

‘‘ In truth, dear wife,” answered Sancho, I have 
brought none of these things. But rest satisfied, for 
sure it is that we shall sally forth once more in search 
of new adventures. Then I shall return an earl or 
the governor of some island, for, although we have had 
many blows and unlucky mishaps, it is indeed a fine 
thing for a man to be the squire of a knight-errant.” 


175 


CHAPTER XVIII 


‘‘ How Don Quixote became acquainted with the scholar^ 
Samson Carrasco^ and started off once more on a 
journey in search of adventures , together with an 
account of his visit to the city of DorbosoP 

F or more than a month our hero, Don Quixote, 
lay in bed recovering from his injuries, and 
during all that time his old friends, the priest 
and the barber, did not once pay him a visit, although 
every day they saw his niece and the housekeeper and 
gave them directions as to the treatment and diet of 
the patient. 

The truth was that the two men were afraid that 
the sight of them might remind Don Quixote of his 
past foolishness, and make him long to start out again 
in search of adventures. At last, however, on hearing 
that he seemed to be in his right senses, they arranged 
to see him, and agreed together beforehand that not 
one word should be spoken on the subject of knight- 
errantry. 

They therefore went to the knight’s house, and 
found him sitting up in bed, wearing a green jacket 
and with a red night-cap on his head. 

He looked very thin, and as much withered as 
some Egyptian mummy, but he received his guests 
176 





founD bim eittmg up in beb/' 


M 








The Journey to Torboso 

politely, and they conversed about such safe subjects 
as politics, laws, and governments. 

The housekeeper and the niece were present 
during the conversation, and they rejoiced to hear 
their master talk so discreetly. 

Before long, however, disappointment came, for 
when the priest happened to mention that the Sultan 
of Turkey intended to invade Europe with a large 
force, Don Quixote declared that one Christian 
champion might well be a match for the whole of the 
pagan army, and that he, for his part, would remain 
a knight-errant until the end of his life. 

The priest and Master Nicholas did their best 
to divert Don Quixote’s attention to other matters, 
and met with some success, but before long they were 
disturbed by a loud noise coming from the back-yard 
below. Looking out of the window, they discovered 
that Sancho Panza was trying to force his way into 
the house. 

The two women endeavoured to keep the man out, 
declaring that he was the cause of all their master’s 
troubles, but Sancho, remembering the island which 
had been promised to him, made such a turmoil that 
Don Quixote heard it and gave orders that he was to 
be admitted. When the barber and the priest had 
departed, the foolish squire and the still more foolish 
knight had a long conversation together, and made 
up their minds that in four days’ time they would 
start out on their travels again. 

During their interview Sancho Panza told his 
master that a certain scholar named Samson Carrasco, 
179 


The History of Don Quixote 

having heard of his exploits, desired to meet him. 
The knight granted this request, and the scholar, 
who proved to be a stout young man with a wide 
mouth and a flat nose, paid him a visit. Carrasco 
professed to take a great interest in the adventures 
of our hero, and advised him on his next journey to 
go to Saragossa, where a great tournament was to be 
held, and where, by vanquishing all other warriors 
present, Don Quixote might prove himself the cham- 
pion of the whole world. * 

As may be imagined, the housekeeper and the niece 
were in despair when they heard of their master’s 
plans, but nothing that they could say or do was of 
any avail, and all preparations were made for departure. 

Don Quixote, on this occasion, was determined to 
have a complete helmet, and a second-hand one was 
procured by Sancho, which, although tarnished and 
very rusty, would serve the purpose well. 

With this helmet on his head, therefore, and 
mounted on Rosinante, the knight set out once more 
on his travels, accompanied by Sancho Panza, who 
rode his ass. Dapple, and carried a purse full of money 
and a wallet well stocked with provisions. 

The two adventurers first took the road to Torboso, 
for Don Quixote was intent on paying a visit to the 
Lady Dulcinea, and before they had gone very far 
Rosinante began to neigh and the ass to bray. This 
was taken to be a good omen, and as the noise made 
by the donkey was the louder, Sancho felt certain 
that his good fortune would excel that of his master. 
The squire was a firm believer in ometis and portents, 
i8o 


The Journey to Torboso 

and often, when his ass stumbled or fell, declared that 
the accident most likely foretold broken bones or 
bruises. From this it will be seen that Sancho Panza 
had some sense after all. 

As they rode along, Don Quixote summoned his 
squire to his side and said to him: ‘‘ Friend, I find that 
it is getting late and that night will have fallen before 
we can reach Torboso, where, before starting on this 
expedition, I intend to pay my vows to the peerless 
Dulcinea, to receive her blessing, and to bid her fare- 
well. There is nothing in the wide world that gives 
a knight so much courage as the smile of his lady-love.” 

“ I quite agree with you, sir,” said Sancho, but 
I do not see how she will give you her blessing unless 
she throws it to you over the mud wall, as she threw 
my bread and cheese when I went to tell her of your 
mad antics in the Black Mountain.” 

‘‘ Mud wall !” cried Don Quixote; ‘‘ what can you 
be talking about ? There was no mud wall except in 
your dull imagination. The princess was doubtless 
walking in some courtyard or gallery of the stately 
1 oyal palace when you saw her.” 

‘‘ It may be so,” quoth Sancho, “ but for my part 
it seemed to me nothing better nor worse than a mud 
wall.” 

It is no matter,” said the knight, let us go 
thither ; I only long to see my fair Dulcinea, and do 
not care whether I behold her bright eyes over a mud 
wall, through the palings of a garden, or at a lattice 
window.” 

Truly, sir,” cried Sancho, ‘‘ when I saw that lady, 

i8i 


The History of Don Quixote 

methinks her eyes did not sparkle so brightly as you 
say, but that may have been because the corn that she 
was winnowing raised a cloud about her, and made her 
look somewhat dull.” 

“ I tell you, idiot,” said the knight, it is you and 
your fancy that are dull. When will you cease to say 
that the Lady Dulcinea was winnowing grain ? Are 
such things ever done by persons of her quality ? 
Doubtless she was seated on the grass, working at some 
rich embroidery in which gold and pearls were cunningly 
interwoven. That was how my princess was employed 
when you saw her, but mayhap the envious spite of some 
magician distorted your vision.” 

“ No doubt you are correct,” said the squire; “ but 
why should a magician be envious of me ? I never said 
an ill word of one of them in all my life. The truth 
is, I have my own roguish tricks now and then, although 
folks do say that I am more fool than knave. However, 
what does it matter ? Let them say what they like ; 
it’s all the same to me.” 

Thus conversing together, the two travellers arrived, 
towards evening, at Torboso. The sight of the city 
cheered Don Quixote, but it had quite a different 
effect on Sancho Panza, who had no idea where the 
Lady Dulcinea lived, and feared that his master would 
soon discover the trick that had been played upon him. 

However, he had a short respite, for Don Quixote 
having decided that they would not enter the town 
until nightfall, they spent some time among a grove 
of oak-trees at a little distance, and refreshed themselves 
with food and repose. 


182 


The Journey to Torboso 

It was midnight when at last the knight and his 
squire left their resting-place, and, descending a hill, 
made their way into the town of Torboso. 

It was a clear night; indeed, Sancho Panza wished 
that it had been much darker, so that his own folly 
and that of his master might more easily have been 
concealed. Everybody seemed to be asleep, and a deep 
silence reigned over the whole city, broken only by 
such sounds as the barking of dogs, the squealing of 
pigs, the mewing of cats, and the braying of donkeys. 

As they drew near to the town, Don Quixote 
turned to his squire and addressed him in these words : 
‘‘ My friend, show me at once the palace of the Lady 
Dulcinea; it is late, but perchance we may still find 
her awake.” 

‘‘Palace!” cried Sancho; “what are you talking 
about, sir ? When I saw the lady, she was in a miserable 
little hovel.” 

“ It is quite possible,” answered the knight, “ that 
she was then in some corner of the great palace, 
amusing herself with her ladies, as great dames and 
princesses often do.” 

“ Well, master, that may be so,” returned the other, 
“ but be sure this is not a good time to pay visits. 
Everyone will be asleep, and if we thunder at the door 
to rouse them, the whole city will be disturbed.” 

“ That is no matter,” answered the knight loftily. 
“ Find the palace and then I will tell you what to do. 
But stay! surely that tall, gloomy building must be 
Dulcinea’s residence.” 

“ WeU,weU,” quoth Sancho, shrugging his shoulders, 
183 


The History of Don Quixote 

“ lead on, sir; but for my part I shall not believe in 
the palace even if I see it with my own eyes and touch 
it with all my ten fingers.” 

Don Quixote therefore rode on, and after about 
one hundred paces came to the great building, which, 
however, proved to be the cathedral. 

‘‘We are mistaken, Sancho,” he said; “this is a 
church, I find.” 

“ It is,” replied Sancho Panza, “ and how came you, 
sir, to make such a blunder, when I have told you all 
the time that the Lady Dulcinea’s house is in a small 
blind alley ?” 

“ Have you entirely lost your wits, man ?” was 
the knight’s angry response. “ Surely you must have 
known that royal palaces are never found in blind 
alleys.” 

“ Every country has its own habits and customs,” 
said the other, “ and for all that we know, in Torboso 
they may build their great edifices in such places. 
Therefore, your worship, let me go alone and hunt 
about in the alleys and by-ways. Perhaps, then, in 
some hole or corner, I may chance upon this same 
palace. But indeed, sir, I cannot see why you trust 
to me for guidance. I have been only once to this 
dame’s house, and you must have visited it a thousand 
times.” 

“ Sancho, you anger me,” said Don Quixote 
impatiently; “ have I not told you over and over again 
that I have never seen the peerless Dulcinea or her 
palace ? I love her only by hearsay, and from having 
been told of her beauty and rare accomplishments.” 

184 


The Journey to Torboso 

‘‘ Ah, well, if that is all,” said Sancho, ‘‘ let me tell 
you that I have never seen her either, for, to speak 
the honest truth, my visit to her was hearsay, and the 
answer to your letter was hearsay, and I know the 
Lady Dulcinea no more than I know the man in the 
moon.” 

‘‘ Sancho, Sancho,” said Quixote gravely, ‘‘ this 
is no time for mirth and foolish jests. Why, because 
I say that I have never set eyes on my dear lady, do 
you declare that you also have not seen her ? You know 
full well that you are not speaking the truth.” 

Here the conversation between the knight and 
his squire was interrupted by the sound of singing, 
and a countryman came by, driving mules and chanting 
so doleful a ditty that Don Quixote took it to be a bad 
omen. However, he addressed the fellow and said: 
“ Good-morrow, honest friend, can you direct me 
to the palace of the Lady Dulcinea of Torboso ?” 

Sir, I am a stranger here,” was the man’s reply, 

‘ but I have never heard tell of a princess dwelling 
in this city. There may be one, for all I know.” 
Then he whipped up his mules and went on. 

Don Quixote was discouraged at this want of 
success in his inquiries, and Sancho, seeing this, 
hastened to put in a word. 

‘‘ Sir,” he said, daybreak is at hand, and we do 
not want to stay here and be stared at by the folks 
in the street. Let us go out to some wood, where we 
can rest awhile, and then I will return alone and search 
the whole town. It is certain that, in the long run, 

I shall find the lady’s palace. Then will I talk to her 
185 


The History of Don Quixote 

and tell her that you are at hand awaiting her com- 
mands and longing to see her.” 

Don Quixote approved this plan of his squire’s, 
so they rode out of the city and returned to the grove 
of oak-trees where they had stayed before. Later in 
the day, Sancho, as he had proposed, returned to the 
search, his master bidding him farewell in these words : 

‘‘ Go, my child, and be happy in your errand, for I 
am sending you to the palace of the Queen of Beauty. 
When you find it, observe well everything that happens : 
mark if the lady blushes at the mention of my name, 
whether she appears to be kind or disdainful, and 
whether she is standing, or seated on her throne. 
Read her thoughts, note her gestures, treasure in your 
memory every word that she utters. Now go, my 
faithful squire, and may good fortune attend you !” 

‘‘ Aye, I’ll be off at once, sir,” said Sancho in 
reply, ‘‘ and, in the meantime, cheer up. I will be 
back again in a trice. Do not be downhearted, and re- 
member the old proverb: ‘ Faint heart never won fair 
lady.’ ” 

With that the man whipped up his ass and rode 
away, leaving his master seated on horseback, with 
his head full of melancholy thoughts and confused 
fancies. 


i86 


CHAPTER XIX 


“ How Sancho Panza found a way to enchant the Lady 
Dulcinea of Lorboso, together with the stupendous 
adventure of the play-actors P 

A fter parting from his master, Sancho Panza 
rode on a little way in the direction of Torboso, 
but as soon as he was well out of sight of the 
oak-grove he stopped, dismounted, and, throwing 
himself on to the ground under a tree, began to make 
plans for the future and to wonder how he might 
best trick the knight again. 

Friend Sancho, what is to be done now ?” he 
said to himself, for it is quite certain that one might 
as well hunt for a needle in a bottle of hay as search 
for this same Lady Dulcinea in Torboso. However, 
my master is crazy — so crazy that he mistakes black 
for white, windmills for giants, and flocks of harmless 
sheep for great armies. Why, then, should he not 
mistake a simple country girl for his peerless princess ? 
And, besides, if he will not believe it, I will swear that 
it is so. If he swear again, I will out-swear him. If 
he be positive, I will be more positive still, and for 
sure it will be easy enough to persuade him that one 
of his rascally wizards has enchanted the lady.” 

Having come to this decision, Sancho Panza 
187 


The History of Don Quixote 

mounted his ass once more and rode on towards the 
town. 

He had not gone far before he caught sight of 
three peasant girls coming along the track riding 
donkeys; and then, as it seemed to him that these 
maidens would admirably serve his purpose, he turned 
and hurried back to Don Quixote with all speed. 

‘‘ Sir,’’ he cried, ‘‘ come at once, and do not delay 
for a moment. You have but to ride down into the 
fields, and there you will see the Lady Dulcinea her- 
self, attended by two of her damsels, coming from her 
palace to meet your worship.” 

What are you saying ?” exclaimed the knight, 
amazed at this good news. ‘‘Are you sure that it is 
true ? Do not, I pray you, deceive me with false 
tidings.” 

“ Why should I deceive you, sir ?” was the squire’s 
reply. “ But, come ! Seeing is believing, and you shall 
behold the lady princess herself, together with her 
maidens, all one sparkle of gold, decked out with 
pearls, rubies, and diamonds, and with their long hair 
straying and waving in the wind like so many sunbeams. 
They are mounted on ambling nags, and true it is 
that I have never set eyes on three more lovely 
creatures in all my born days.” 

“ Let us start at once,” cried Don Quixote, never 
doubting that the man was speaking the truth, “ and 
as a reward for your good service, Sancho, I will bestow 
upon you all the spoils of our next adventure and also 
the three finest colts in my stable at home.” 

“ Thank you for the colts, master,” said Sancho, 

i88 



*'XLbc Dulcinea, attcn^eD two of bee Damsels. 


ff 




I 




The Lady Dulcinea 

‘‘ but as for the spoils, I’m not sure that they are likely 
to be worth anything at all.” 

JBy this time the two riders had reached the out- 
skirts of the wood and could see the three country girls 
on their asses quite near at hand. Don Quixote paid 
no heed to them, but, turning to his squire, asked him 
whether the Princess Dulcinea and her ladies had yet 
left Torboso. 

Left Torboso !” echoed Sancho in feigned amaze- 
ment; ‘‘ why, sir, where are your eyes ? Cannot you 
see them ? — there, in front of us, shining as brightly 
as the sun at noonday.” 

“ I see nothing,” answered the knight, except 
three country maids on three asses.” 

‘‘ Now this is indeed a marvel !” cried Sancho Panza, 
pretending to be overcome with astonishment. Is it 
possible that your worship can mistake three palfries, 
white as driven snow, for three common donkeys ?” 

Friend,” replied the knight, “ those are donkeys 
as surely as I am Don Quixote de la Mancha — or so, 
at least, they appear to me.” 

Come, come, sir !” cried the other, ‘‘ do not talk 
like that; but hasten ! Pay your homage to the lady.” 

With that he jumped off Dapple, and, running 
forward, seized one of the other asses by its halter. 
Falling on his knees in front of it, he exclaimed in a 
humble voice : Princess and Queen of Beauty, here 
is your true knight, Don Quixote de la Mancha, he 
who is known to the world as the ‘ Knight of the Doleful 
Countenance’; and I am his squire, Sancho Panza.” 

Don Quixote had by this time also dismounted 
191 


The History of Don Quixote 

and placed himself upon his knees beside Sancho, 
but when he saw that the Lady Dulcinea was nothing 
but a peasant girl, and a plain one at that, he was so 
taken aback that he could not say a single word. 

The damsels themselves were as much amazed as 
the knight, but at last the one whom Sancho had 
addressed found her tongue and cried roughly : Come, 
sirs, get out of our way, for we have business and are 
in a hurry.” 

‘‘Oh, princess!” exclaimed Sancho; “oh, great 
Lady of Torboso 1 Why does not your heart melt 
when you see the devotion of this your champion ?” 

“ Lackaday 1” cried another of the girls, “ it is a 
fine thing for a grand gentleman to make fun of poor 
country girls. Go, mind your own affairs, sir, and let 
us mind ours. Be off with you, and good- day.” 

“ Sancho,” said Don Quixote, when he heard these 
words, “ certain it is that ill-luck still attends us, and 
that I am once more persecuted by a wicked magician.” 

“ Get away, sir, and let us pass,” demanded the 
imaginary Lady Dulcinea; and then she hit her ass 
soundly with a stick that she had in her hand, and 
scoured away across the plain at a great pace. However, 
the beast was enraged at the rough treatment it had 
received, and soon began to kick so violently that the 
rider was thrown to the ground. 

Don Quixote hurried up to help the girl, and would 
have lifted her into the saddle, but she would have none 
of his assistance, and, instead, jumped nimbly on to the 
animal and rode away, her two companions following 
as quickly as they could. 


192 


The Lady Dulcinea 

Don Quixote stared after the riders until they were 
out of sight, and then turned sadly to his squire. 
‘‘ Sancho,” he said, what think you of this matter ? 
Are not these enchanters cruel and ruthless ? Not 
content with bringing misfortune upon me at every 
turn, they have now transformed my beautiful Dulcinea 
into a rough and homely country girl. In truth, I 
am the most unhappy man in the whole world.” 

The mischievous Sancho could hardly help laughing 
when he heard his master talk in this melancholy 
fashion, but he did not undeceive him, and, mounting 
their steeds once more, they rode away in the direction 
of Saragossa. 

Poor Don Quixote was downcast for a long time 
after his distressing meeting with the supposed Lady 
Dulcinea, and he rode on his way carelessly, giving 
Rosinante a free rein and allowing he: to stop and graze 
as she pleased. 

Sancho tried his best to cheer the knight, but it 
was in vain, and the mood continued until at last he 
was aroused by a strange sight that appeared coming 
along the road. 

It was an open waggon, driven by a hideous imp, 
and containing the most motley party of travellers 
that ever was seen. There was a ghost among them 
an angel with large, brightly coloured wings, a Cupid 
armed with bows and arrows, an emperor wearing 
a golden crown, and many others. 

Sancho Panza was terrified out of his wits when he 
saw this amazing company, and even Don Quixote 
was taken aback. However, he quickly came to the 
193 N 


The History of Don Quixote 

conclusion that this was only some new adventure, 
so he rode boldly forward and placed himself in front 
of the waggon ready to confront any danger. 

‘‘ Carter, coachman, or demon,” he cried in a loud 
voice, ‘‘ tell me instantly who you are, whence you 
come, whither you go, and what is the meaning of 
the strange figures in your carriage.” 

‘‘ Good sir,” answered the imp very politely, “ we 
are only play-actors, strolling mountebanks that 
belong to Anguelo’s company. We have acted a 
play in one town this morning, and shall perform it 
in another this afternoon, and so, to save ourselves 
trouble, we travel in our players’ dresses from place to 
place.” 

“ Now, by my faith !” exclaimed the knight, ‘‘ it 
is true that we must not always judge by appearances. 

I could have sworn that this was some great adventure 
However, I wish you well, good folks, and believe me 
I shall be always ready to do you service.” 

All seemed going well, but, unluckily, just at this 
moment another strange figure appeared upon the 
scene. This was the fool of the company, and he 
came up jingling his bells and flourishing three large 
bladders that were fastened to a stick. After the 
manner of jesters he at once began to play antics and 
to bounce the bladders against the ground, and this 
so frightened Rosinante that she pranced and capered. 
Don Quixote tried to control the horse, but in vain, 
and, getting the bit between her teeth, Rosinante set 
off at a gallop and careered wildly up and down. 

Sancho, seeing his master’s danger, dismounted 
194 


The Lady Dulcinea 

and ran to his assistance, and then the fool sprang on 
to Dapple’s back and rode away towards the town. 

At the same moment Rosinante made a false step 
and fell heavily, so there was poor Sancho between 



**Xlbi3 60 trlabtencC) IRosinante that be pranceb 
anD capereD.^* 

two stools, and uncertain whether to rescue his ass 
or his master. 

However, like a good servant, he chose the latter 
course, and when he had helped Don Quixote to his 

195 


The History of Don Quixote 

feet, he exclaimed : “ Oh ! sir, some demon in cap and 
bells has run away with my Dapple.” 

“ Some demon ?” exclaimed the knight. ‘‘ No 
matter, Sancho. I will bring him back to you, even 
though he be carried away to the deepest caverns of 
the nether regions. In the meantime, let us attack the 
waggon and take the mules in exchange for your ass.” 

“ There is no hurry now, sir,” quoth the squire, 
‘‘ for the demon has left Dapple already, and gone on 
his way.” 

This was true. The ass had thrown the play-actor? 
and was now trotting back to his own master. 

Sancho Panza was now all for leaving well alone, 
but Don Quixote would not hear of such a course, 
and rode after the waggon, determined to punish 
the play-actors for their insolence. 

“ Stop ! rascals,” he cried. ‘‘ Halt ! I will teach you 
to be more civil to the beast that belongs to the squire 
of a knight-errant.” 

On hearing these words the mountebanks waited 
for no more, but hurriedly alighted from the waggon, 
and, snatching up stones, prepared to meet their 
assailant with a shower of missiles. 

Don Quixote, nothing daunted, would have 
attacked the whole company, but Sancho Panza 
hurried up and implored him to beware. 

“ Are you mad, master ?” he shouted. ‘‘ It is 
not courage but rash foolhardiness for one man to 
fight an army; besides, there is not a single knight 
among this rabble. It is not seemly that you should 
engage in battle with them.” 

196 


The Lady Dulcinea 

“ There is truth in what you say,” said Don 
Quixote, somewhat appeased. ‘‘ For, indeed, I am 
bound not to combat with any below the order of 
knighthood. Besides, this is your affair, for the ass 
was yours. You, then, shall do battle with the rogues, 
and I will stand aside and assist you with advice and 
encouragement.” 

‘‘ No, thank you, sir,” replied Sancho; “ I hate 
revenge, and am willing to forget and forgive. As for 
Dapple, he will leave the matter to me, and only 
wants to live quietly and peaceably.” 

On hearing this, Don Quixote agreed to pardon 
the play-actors, and he rode away followed by his 
squire. Thus the adventure ended more happily 
than might have been expected. 


197 


CHAPTER XX 


“ The valiant Don Quixote^ s strange adventure with 
the bold Knight of the Mirrors 

W HEN night came, after the encounter of Don 
Quixote and his squire with the play-actors, 
a halt was made under some trees. The two 
adventurers seated themselves comfortably on the 
grass and enjoyed a good meal, having brought plenty 
of provisions with them from the inn. 

After supper they talked together for a while, 
and then fell asleep, but before very long the knight 
was awakened by the sound of voices near at hand. 
He got up, looked through the trees, and saw two men^ 
one of whom was just alighting from his horse. 

Dismount, friend,” this man said to his com- 
panion, and unsaddle your beast, for there seems to 
be plenty of pasture in this place, and the silence and 
solitude will give me time for thought.” 

As he spoke he threw himself down on to the grass, 
and there was such a clash of armour that Don Quixote 
felt certain that the newcomer must be a knight-errant 
He therefore awoke Sancho Panza and whispered to 
him : “ Man, rouse yourself, here is an adventure.” 

‘‘ Heaven send it be a fortunate one !” was the 
squire’s answer, as he got up from his resting-place. 

‘‘ I will not promise you that it is actually an 
198 


The Knight of the Mirrors 

adventure,” said Don Quixote, ‘‘ but it is as good a 
beginning of one as ever was. A knight-errant is here, 
over yonder, and he seems to be in a very sorrowful 
case.” 

Hark ! he is tuning some instrument.” 

‘‘ You are right, sir,” said Sancho, peering through 
the trees; it is even as you say. For my part, I fancy 
that he must be in love.” 

‘‘ All knights-errant are in love,” asserted Don 
Quixote, and then they both listened while the 
unknown warrior sang a pitiful love-song. When it 
came to an end the man sighed deeply and cried in a 
mournful voice : Oh, most beautiful and most 

ungrateful of women ! Oh, fair Casildea de Vandalia ! 
How can you suffer a knight who worships you to 
wander over the earth, disconsolate and weary ? Have 
I not caused you to be acclaimed the Queen of Beauty 
by all the champions of Navarre and Castile — indeed, 
by all the knights of La Mancha ?” 

“ Not so,” exclaimed Don Quixote in a loud voice, 
‘‘ for I myself am a knight of La Mancha, and I have 
never acknowledged any Queen of Beauty save my 
own Lady Dulcinea. Sancho, it is plain that this man 
has lost his wits.” 

At that the other, overhearing, rose to his feet and 
cried: Who is there ? What are you ?” 

A knight-errant,” was the reply, and although 
I have my own sorrows, I can always sympathise with 
others who are likewise unfortunate. As I gather 
from your grievous complaints, sir, you have a lady, 
and she treats you with disdain.” 

199 


The History of Don Quixote 

“ That is true,” answered the unknown; and then 
the two knights sat down on the grass side by side and 
conversed together, while their squires, having with- 
drawn to a little distance, made merry with food and 
drink. 

The unknown knight related his unhappy love- 
story to Don Quixote, and described how his lady, the 
peerless Casildea, had sent him forth again and again 
on dangerous quests, promising each time that if he 
were successful she would be his bride, but always, 
on his return, breaking her word and putting him to 
some new trial. 

“ 1 never know which of the commands . will be 
the last,” he said sadly, “ for ever she sets me new 
labours and enjoins new exploits. Now she has bidden 
me travel throughout the length and breadth of Spain 
and challenge to mortal combat any knight who 
refuses to confess that she is the most beautiful lady 
in the world. Already I have journeyed far and over- 
come many warriors, among them the famous Don 
Quixote, whom I forced to acknowledge that my 
Casildea is superior to his Dulcinea of Torboso.” 

Don Quixote was naturally amazed when he heard 
this, but he managed to control his rage, and said with 
apparent calm : Sir Knight, I will admit that your 
victories have extended all over Spain, perhaps, even, 
over the whole world, but that you have vanquished 
Don Quixote I beg leave to doubt. You may have 
fought with someone who resembles him, although 
there are few like him in appearance.” 

“What do you mean, sir?” cried the other. “I 
200 


The Knight of the Mirrors 

swear that I fought with Don Quixote himself and 
conquered him. He is a tall, lanky fellow with a hawk 
nose and long moustaches. He has taken the title of 
the ‘ Knight of the Doleful Countenance,’ and he 
has as squire a man named Sancho Panza.” 

‘‘Pray, sir, not so fast,” put in the other; “this 
same Don Quixote is a dear friend of mine. I love 
him^ as much as I love myself. You cannot have fought 
with him; but this I will allow: many enchanters are 
foes of this knight, and one of them may have assumed 
his shape and battled with you. To prove the truth 
of my words, behold, here is Don Quixote himself, 
and he will fight with you now, either on horseback 
or on foot, as you will.” As he said this, the speaker 
sprang up and drew his sword from its scabbard. 

The other knight rose too, and addressed our hero 
in these words : “ Sir,” he said, ‘* I that have fought 
Don Quixote when transformed do not fear him in his 
own shape; but let us wait till morning, and then we‘ 
will engage in mortal combat.” 

“ Agreed,” said Don Quixote; and this matter being 
arranged, they went to rouse their squires — who were 
sleeping soundly — and to bid them prepare, dawn 
being by this time close at hand. 

Sancho Panza was thunderstruck when he heard 
the news, for the servant of the unknown knight had 
told him great things of his master’s prowess and 
courage. The two fellows talked together now as they 
saddled the horses. 

“ Friend,” said the newcomer, “ as our masters 
are to fight, we will have a tussle together as well, for 
201 


The History of Don Quixote 

in my country of Andalusia it is never the way for the 
seconds to stand idle during a battle.” 

“ It may be a custom in your country,” retorted 
Sancho, but it is a very bad one, and I will not obey 
it, that’s flat, sir. Besides, I have no sword, so how 
could we fight ?” 

“I have two linen bags here,” said the other; 
‘‘ you take one, and we will use them as weapons.” 

“ With all my heart,” cried Sancho, delighted 
at the prospect of a bloodless combat; “that will dust 
our jackets for us and do no harm.” 

“ Not so,” quoth the other squire, “ for we will 
each put half a dozen sharp stones into the bag to 
give it weight.” 

“ In that case,” answered Sancho, “ and on second 
thoughts, I am in no humour for a fight. Why should 
we risk our lives needlessly ? I am not angry with 
you, and it would be foolish to attack you in cold 
blood. Let our masters fight if they wish, it is 
nothing to us.” 

“ As you will,” said the other. “ Dawn is breaking; 
then we can see what is to be done.” 

And now the sun rose, and a thousand pretty birds 
began to sing. The woods were cheered and the 
flowers gave out their fragrance. There was a pleasant 
murmur of rippling brooks, and dewdrops sparkled 
on every leaf and blade of grass. 

As soon as it was light Don Quixote turned to his 
opponent, and saw him to be strong-limbed, although 
not tall. His visor was down, so that his face could 
not be seen. A great plume of yellow, green, and 
202 


The Knight of the Mirrors 

white feathers waved above his helm, and over his 
armour he wore a coat of cloth of gold set with pieces 
of looking-glass cut into half moons, which glistened 
and made a great show. He had a long, thick spear 
with a steel head nearly a foot in length. 

As for the squire, he was seen to be an amazing 
fellow, for his nose was of such a monstrous size that 



vvae seen to be an ama3fn0 tellow/' 


it seemed to overshadow his whole body. He looked 
like a hobgoblin, and both Sancho and Don Quixote 
stared at him horrified. 

Our hero then turned to the other warrior and 
said : ‘‘ Sir Knight of the Mirrors, lift your visor so 
that I may see your face before we begin our battle.” 

I cannot yet satisfy your curiosity, sir,” was the 
203 


The History of Don Quixote 

answer, ‘‘ for every moment of delay is a wrong done 
to my Lady Casildea. But when the combat is over, 
whether you are vanquished or victorious, I will 
surely show you my countenance.” 

This said, they mounted their horses without 
further parley, and prepared for the fray, which, 
however, quickly came to an end. They first drew 
apart a little distance, and then Don Quixote rode 
forward at a great pace. The Knight of the Mirrors 
prepared to meet him, but was encumbered with his 
lance, which he did not seem to know how to use. 
While in confusion, therefore, he was attacked by our 
hero with great fury, and hurled to the ground, where 
he lay motionless, silent, and without a sign of life. 

Sancho Panza now rushed forward to help his 
master, who had dismounted and was unlacing the 
helmet of the fallen knight in order to give him air. 
They lifted the visor, and there, to their amazement, 
was the face of the scholar, Samson Carrasco. 

Don Quixote raised his sword and was about to 
slay the man forthwith, thinking that this was some 
new enchantment, but at this moment the other 
squire rushed up. He was without his nose, which 
had been a false one, used as a disguise ; and now, who 
should he prove to be but Thomas Cecial, a neigh- 
bour and old friend of Sancho’s ! 

‘‘ Heaven defend us ! who is this ?” cried Sancho. 
“ Thomas, is it indeed you ?” 

‘‘ It is,” said the other, and soon I will tell you 
by what tricks we were brought here. Meanwhile, 
let not your master slay this Knight of the Mirrors, 
204 


The Knight of the Mi rrors 

for sure it is that he is Samson Carrasco, and no one 
else.” 

The fallen man now began to revive, and then Don 
Quixote, who did not believe the squire’s testimony, 
set the point of his sword to his throat, and said: 
‘‘ Knight, you die instantly, unless you confess that 
the Lady Dulcinea exceeds Casildea in beauty; and 
you must also confess that the knight whom you 
formerly vanquished was not, nor could have been, 
Don Quixote de la Mancha. It was some magician 
in his likeness, even as you, who appear to be the scholar 
Carrasco, are not really he, as I know full well.” 

“ I will confess and allow and believe anything 
you like,” cried the fallen man, and then Don Quixote 
raised him to his feet and bade him farewell. 

Our hero and his squire rode away in the direction 
of Saragossa, while the Knight of the Mirrors, in a 
very bad temper, together with Thomas Cecial, made 
their way as best they could in the direction of some 
town where ointments and plasters for broken ribs 
might be procured. 

And now this is the truth of the whole matter. 

When the scholar Carrasco advised Don Quixote 
to travel to Saragossa, it was as the result of a confer- 
ence held with the priest and the barber, their object 
being, as before, to cure our hero of his taste for knight- 
errantry. 

They thought that if Don Quixote met another 
warrior and were vanquished by him, he would easily 
be persuaded to return quietly to his home and village. 
Carrasco undertook to act the part of the conquering 
205 


The History of Don Quixote 

knight, and it was agreed that Thomas Cecial should 
be his squire. 

The pair followed closely behind Don Quixote 
when he set out on his- journey, and they overtook him 
in the wood where the battle was fought. 

As we have seen, the affray ended in disaster for 
Samson Carrasco, and he now refused to listen when 
his squire suggested that it was high time for them 
to return home. 

‘‘ You can do what you like,” he said, “ but I will 
never return until I have paid out that mad knight 
for the broken bones he has given me. I will fight 
him again, and next time it will not be that he may 
recover his wits, but for pure revenge. Truly, the 
pain in my limbs has taken all charity out of me.” 


2^5 


CHAPTER XXI 


An account of the incredible valour of Don Quixote, 
with the successful issue of the adventure of the lions. 

A fter his victorious encounter with the Knight 
. of the Mirrors, Don Quixote rode on his way 
rejoicing, and all his past misfortunes, such as 
the stones of the shepherds and the ingratitude of the 
galley slaves, were forgotten. It only now remained 
to free Dulcinea from her enchantment, and then, 
so he told himself, he would be the happiest man in 
the whole world. 

While he was thus busy with pleasant thoughts, 
a traveller rode up behind, mounted on a fine horse 
and dressed all in green. He saluted very politely, 
and then Don Quixote called to him and said : ‘‘ Sir, 
if you are not in too much haste, we should be glad 
of your company on the road.” 

The other agreed to this proposal, and so they 
journeyed on side by side, conversing together on 
literature, knight-errantry, and many other subjects. 

The newcomer’s name proved to be Don Diego 
de Miranda, and he invited Don Quixote to be his 
guest, as he lived in a village not far away. 

In this manner the time passed very agreeably, but, 
before long, there appeared in the distance a large 
207 


The History of Don Quixote 

waggon decked with little flags that displayed the 
king’s colours. Don Quixote, making certain that this 
was some adventure, called to the squire telling him 
to bring his helmet without delay. 

Now, Sancho Panza, who carried the knight’s helmet 
at his saddle-bow, had loitered behind to buy milk 
from some shepherds. He had just purchased a 
quantity of curds, and when his master called, not 
wishing to waste the dainties, he clapped them into 
the helmet. He then obeyed the summons. 

“ Give me my helmet, sir,” cried the knight, as 
Sancho rode up, ‘‘ for, if I know anything of adventures, 
I spy one yonder. I have many enemies and can never 
tell how or in what guise they will attack me.” 

With this he snatched the helmet from his squire 
and clapped it on to his head, and immediately the 
whey from the curds began to trickle down over his 
face and neck. 

“ Why, what is this ?” he cried in alarm. Have 
I broken my skull, or are my brains melting ?” 

He then took off the helmet, and, discovering the 
curds, turned upon Sancho and rebuked him soundly. 

“ Vile traitor !” he exclaimed. “ Unmannerly rascal ! 
How dare you put curds into my helmet ? Give me 
a cloth instantly so that I may wipe my face.” 

‘‘ Why, sir,” cried Sancho, “ how could I have 
played so detestable a trick ? Certain it is that some 
demon must have put them there. I, like you, have 
foes among the wizards, and one of them it is who has 
done this in order to rouse your anger against me. 
Had I any curds, master, should I not have put 
208 


The Adventure of the Lions 

them into my own mouth rather than into your 
helmet ?” 

“ That may well be so,” said the knight, appeased 
by this explanation; and then, having drawn his sword, 
he awaited the arrival of the waggon. 

When it approached, coming slowly along the road, 
he advanced saying: ‘‘What waggon is this? And 
what does it contain ? What are the meaning of these 
flags ?” 

“ The waggon is mine,” answered the man who 
was driving it, “ and in it are two brave lions that the 
General of Oran is sending to the king. These colours 
are to let folks know whose property the animals are.” 

Don Quixote was much interested in this informa- 
tion. “ Are the lions large?” he inquired; and then 
another man, who was sitting on the front of the waggon, 
replied: “ Yes, sir, very large. There are none bigger 
in Africa. I am their keeper. In one cage is a lion 
and in the other a lioness, and as they have eaten 
nothing to-day, they are cruel hungry. Therefore, 
sir, pray get out of the way, for we must hasten on to 
the place where they may be fed.” 

“ What !” cried Don Quixote scornfully. “ Why 
should I ride away ? What are lions to me ? I will 
show you whether I am afraid of them. Sir, since you 
are the keeper, open the cages and let them both out. 
In spite of all the enchanters, who have doubtless sent 
these creatures to test my courage, I will show here, 
in this very field, what sort of a man Don Quixote of 
La Mancha is.” 

Sancho, hearing these words, rushed up to Don Diego 
209 o 


The History of Don Quixote 

in terror, and cried: ‘‘ Oh, sir, hinder my master from 
attacking these lions, for certain it is that we shall all 
be torn to pieces.” 

Why,” said the gentleman in surprise, is your 
master crazy, then, that you think he will really fight 
these savage beasts ?” 

“ He is not mad, sir, but mightily venturesome,” 
was the answer, and, hearing that, Don Diego advanced 
to our hero, who was urging the keeper to open the 
door of one of the cages, and said : Sir, knights-errant 
do well to engage in dangerous enterprises, but not 
in those that are entirely desperate. Foolhardiness 
is more like to madness than to true courage. Besides, 
these lions belong to the king. It is not for us to 
detain them or to stop the waggon.” 

‘‘ Pray, sweet sir,” was Don Quixote’s reply, ‘‘ go 
and amuse yourself and leave me to my own business. 
This affair is mine, and I know full well that these 
worthy lions have been sent against me.” Then, 
turning to the keeper, he cried : “ Sirrah, either open 
those doors immediately or I will pierce you through 
with my lance.” 

‘‘ Good master,” begged the waggoner, hearing these 
words, ‘‘ for mercy’s sake let me and my mules get 
out of the way first, for if the lions once set upon the 
poor beasts and slay them, I am ruined for life.” 

Don Quixote gave the man permission to withdraw, 
but, as for himself, he was set upon the mad enterprise, 
and w6uld pay no heed to the arguments of Don Diego 
or to the entreaties of Sancho Panza, although the 
squire prayed him again and again not to expose himself 
210 


The Adventure of the Lions 

to SO great a danger. “ Master,” he begged, ‘‘ have 
a care. This is no enchantment, but a real lion and 
a vast one. I have looked into the cage, and I saw a 
claw so large that the beast must be as big as a 
mountain.” 

‘‘ My poor friend,” was the knight’s reply, your 
terror will make him as huge as half the world. Leave 
me now, and remember, if mishap should come, go to 
Dulcinea and tell her what has befallen.” 

Sancho then departed, weeping, to a safe distance, 
and Don Diego followed him, while Don Quixote 
once more ordered the keeper to open the cage without 
further delay. 

When at last the man saw that it was quite useless 
to reason any longer with the mad knight, he began 
to unfasten the door of the foremost cage. 

Don Quixote, meanwhile, considered whether he 
should fight the savage animals on foot or on horse- 
back, and as he feared that Rosinante, not being 
accustomed to lions, might be alarmed, he decided 
to make the attack on foot. He therefore dis- 
mounted, laid aside his lance, and, sword in hand, 
advanced slowly and placed himself immediately in 
front of the cage. 

The keeper now drew back the fastenings and 
opened the door of the cage where the lion lay. 
Indeed, he seemed to be a monster in size, and ^of a 
most hideous, frightful aspect. He rolled himself 
round and turned in his cage, and then he stretched 
out one of his paws in a manner terrible to behold, and, 
rousing himself, gaped and showed all his dreadful 

2II 


The History of Don Quixote 

teeth. Having done this, he thrust his head out of 
the cage, and stared round with eyes that looked like 
coals of living fire. 

It was truly a sight to strike dismay into the hearts 



of the bravest, but Don Quixote only looked at the 
animal attentively, wishing that it would come out, 
so that he might show his courage and slay it forthwith 
— to this height of folly had our hero risen — but, in 
spite of his challenges and mad antics, the lion, more 
212 


The Adventure of the Lions 

gentle than arrogant, took no notice of the knight, but 
turned round again and laid himself down in the cage. 

Don Quixote then commanded the keeper to stir 
the beast up with his pole and force him to come out, 
but this the man would not do, and said : ‘‘ Sir, if I 
provoke him, certain it is that he will turn upon me 
and tear me in pieces. I pray you be content with 
your day’s work. The door is open. The lion is at 
liberty. He can come out if he wishes. You, more- 
over, are prepared to meet him, but, as you see, he 
dare not look you in the face. You have shown your 
valour; for what man can do more than challenge his 
enemy and wait for him on the field of battle ?” 

‘‘ That is true,” said Don Quixote; come, friend, 
shut the cage door and give me a certificate saying 
what you have .seen me perform, and how the lion 
would not meet me. Shut the door, I say, and I will 
summon back my friends and give them an account 
of my exploit.” 

The keeper obeyed, and Don Quixote tied his 
handkerchief to his lance and waved it in the air until 
Sancho Panza, Don Diego, and the waggoner, observing 
the signal, returned to the place. 

What has become of the lions ?” asked Sancho 
in amazement, when he reached his master’s side. 

Sir, are they dead or alive ?” 

Then the keeper related the story of Don Quixote’s 
courage, not without exaggeration, and told how the 
lion, terrified at the champion’s demeanour, refused 
to stir from the cage, and how, at last, Don Quixote 
was prevailed upon to allow the cage door to be shut. 

213 


The History of Don Quixote 

“ Well, Sancho,” said the knight, when the story 
was finished, ‘‘ what think you of this ? Enchanters 
cannot prevail against true courage.” 

He then gave presents of money to the keeper and 
the waggoner, and bade the former describe to the 
king what had happened. ‘‘ And if His Majesty 
should ask you who did this deed,” he said, “ tell him 
that it was the ‘ Knight of the Lions,’ for by that name 
will I be known in the future.” 

The waggon with the flag-decked cages then 
started off once more on its journey, and Don Quixote, 
together with the gentleman in green and Sancho 
Panza, rode away talking together about the strange 
adventure which they had just encountered. 


CHAPTER XXII 


An account of the great adventure of Montesinos’ 
Cave, and the wonderful things that Don Quixote 
declared that he saw thered^ 

AT about two o’clock in the afternoon, on the 
/-% day of the adventure of the lions, our travellers 
arrived at the house of Don Diego de Miranda, 
where, as had been arranged, they were to stay for a 
short time. 

The mansion was a large and handsome one, built 
after the fashion of the country, with the arms of the 
family in stone over the doorway and a porch round 
which were set a number of jars of a kind that is made 
in Torboso. These reminded Don Quixote of his 
enchanted lady-love, and when he saw them, he 
exclaimed in a melancholy voice : Oh, urns of Torboso ! 
How you awaken in my mind thoughts of love and of 
sorrow !” 

The lady of the house and her son, who had come 
to the door to meet the guests, wondered who this 
doleful knight in armour could be, but he was soon 
introduced to them by Don Diego himself in these 
words : Madam, this gentleman is the noble Don 

Quixote de la Mancha, the wisest and most valiant 
knight-errant in the whole world.” 

Don Quixote then alighted from, his horse and 
2IS 


The History of Don Quixote 

kissed the lady’s hand. He was given a hearty welcome, 
and four days passed in happiness and great comfort; 
but, at the end of that time, he thanked his host and 
hostess for their hospitality and said that he must 
continue his journey without further delay. It was 
the knight’s intention to reach Saragossa in time for 
the tournaments and festivals that were to be held 
in that place, and on the way he wished to visit and 
explore a great cavern called Montesinos’ Cave, about 
which many wonderful stories were told. 

Don Diego and his son commended this plan, and, 
after having bidden farewell to the lady and paid her 
many compliments, our hero and his squire took to 
the road once more, a young student who knew the 
country well engaging to show them the way to the 
caves. 

That night they stayed at a little village, where 
Don Quixote purchased a long rope, and the next day 
they went on again, arriving at the entrance to the 
cave about midday. 

The famous cavern proved to be a dark pit over- 
grown with a tangle of brambles, bushes, and wild 
fig-trees, but our hero was not alarmed at its gloomy 
appearance, and prepared to make the descent at 
once, declaring that he would reach the bottom how- 
ever deep it might be. He then, with the help of the 
guide and his squire, tied one end of the rope round 
his waist; Sancho Panza, meanwhile, bewailing the 
foolhardiness of the venture and begging his master 
again and again to be careful. 

‘‘ Took before you leap, sweet sir,” he cried, and 

?i6 


M ontesinos’ Cave 

beware lest you be buried alive. Why should you go 
into this horrible and dark pit ? Alack, master, surely 
it is none of your business to pry into such a place.” 

‘‘ Silence, coward !” said Don Quixote. “ And tie 
the rope firmly, for I am certain that this is a great 
enterprise which has been reserved for me alone. 
There is one thing which we have forgotten,” he 
added, and that is a little bell which I might have 
rung to tell you that I was still alive, or that I needed 
more rope.” 

Then, having prayed for the protection of Heaven, 
and called, as was his wont, on the name of the Lady 
Dulcinea, the knight advanced to the mouth of the 
pit and began, with his sword, to cut away the thicket 
with which it was encumbered. 

Immediately a great number of rooks, jackdaws, 
and other birds flew out of the dark entrance and 
almost overwhelmed the brave explorer, but he did 
not care, as there were no owls or birds of ill-omen 
among them. He then bade farewell to his squire 
and was let down, calling for more rope when he 
reached the bottom of the hole. He began at 
once to search the cave and the dark passages which 
led out of it, and the two men above heard his voice 
gradually die away in the distance. 

Sancho Panza and the student resolved that after 
half an hour had passed they would draw up the rope ; 
and this they did, but it seemed to them at first that 
there was no weight attached to it. 

Sancho was terrified, thinking that his master was 
lost for ever, but, after a while, as they strained their 
zij 


The History of Don Quixote 

eyes and stared into the darkness, they descried the 
figure of the knight. 

Welcome ! welcome !” cried Sancho, overjoyed, 
but there was no answer; and when, at last, Don 



**1bi6 c^C6 were cloeet) ant) be appeareb to be aeleep/' 


Quixote was drawn to the surface, his eyes were closed 
and he appeared to be asleep. 

The two men laid him on the grass and untied the 
rope, but for a long time he showed no sign of life. 
At last, however, he stretched his limbs, and, rousing 
himself, stared round wildly. 

‘‘ Heaven forgive you, my friends !” he exclaimed, 
218 


Montesinos’ Cave 

‘‘ for you have brought' me back from the sweetest 
life ever led by mortal man.” 

The others begged him to tell them what had 
happened, and this he promised to do when he had 
had some food, saying that he was prodigiously 
hungry. 

The student then spread his saddle-cloth on the 
grass, and sitting down they all enjoyed a hearty 
meal. When it was finished, Don Quixote said : 

Let no man stir, but listen to me with attention, 
and I will tell you what befell me in the Cave of 
Montesinos.” 

It was now about four o’clock in the afternoon, 
and as the sun was hidden behind a cloudy the air was 
cool and pleasant. The two listeners drew near to 
Don Quixote, and he began the story of his strange 
experiences. 

“ About eighty feet down the pit,” he said, there 
is a large recess, and when I reached this place, I 
entered it, being tired of hanging to the rope, and sat 
down to rest. I fell asleep, and when I awoke, found 
that I was in the most sweet and delightful meadow 
that ever was seen. Thinking that it might be only 
a dream, I rubbed my eyes and pinched myself soundly. 
By this it was proved that I was wide awake, and as 
clear-headed as ever I am now. 

‘‘ I rose and walked on, and presently came to a 
marvellous palace which had walls and battlements 
of clear crystal. The gates swung open as I approached, 
and an old man came out. He had a long white 
beard and wore dark, scholarly garments. 

219 


The History of Don Quixote 

‘‘ This old man welcomed me with great courtesy, 
and said: ‘ Most renowned knight, we who dwell here 
in this enchanted cave have longed for your coming. 
Enter my castle, then, that you may tell the world 
of the wonders that it contains. I am Montesinos, 
from whom the cavern takes its name.’ 

Thereupon we entered the castle together, and 
came to a room made all of alabaster. In the centre 
was a great tomb, and upon it lay, not a marble effigy, 
as might have been expected, but a living knight. 

‘ This is the valiant warrior Duradante,’ said 
Montesinos, ‘ who, together with me and many others, 
is enchanted by the great British wizard Merlin ; and, 
although he seems to be dead, oftentimes he cries 
aloud, and complains bitterly.’ 

‘‘ Scarcely had these words been spoken, when the 
knight began to sigh and make great moan, and then 
Montesinos fell on his knees by the tomb, and said: 
‘ Duradante, dearest of my kinsmen,, know you that we, 
together with Belerma, your lady-love, and many 
others, have been imprisoned here for nigh on eight 
hundred years; and also your squire, Guadiana, was 
transformed into the river that bears his name? But 
now I have good tidings for you: Don Quixote de 
la Mancha has come to this cave, and by his power 
we believe that the spell will be dissolved.’ 

‘‘ After this, I heard piteous groans and crying, 
and, looking round, saw through the crystal walls 
a most mournful procession of beautiful maidens clad 
all in black. Behind them came a tall and stately 
lady, also wearing mourning garments. She was 
220 


Montesinos’ Cave 

swarthy, beetle-browed, and had a flat nose and a wide 
mouth. 

‘‘ Montesinos informed me that this lady was 
Belerma, who, with her damsels, wept constantly at 
the bier of Duradante. He added that misfortunes 
had impaired Belerma’s beauty, but that, before her 
enchantment, even the peerless Dulcinea of Torboso 
was not her equal. 

‘‘ ‘ Say no more, Senor,’ I said, ‘ for comparisons 
are odious. The Lady Dulcinea is what she is and the 
Lady Belerma is what she is.’ 

“‘Pardon, sir,’ said Montesinos; ‘I might have 
known that you were the Lady Dulcinea’s knight.’ ” 

“ On my faith 1” interrupted Sancho Panza, “ I won- 
der that you did not give the old rascal a good thrashing 
for his insolence ; but tell us, master, how could you see 
and hear so many strange things in so short a time ?” 

“ Why,” inquired Don Quixote, “ how long do 
you reckon that I was in the cave ?” 

“ How long ?” repeated Sancho. “ A little above 
an hour, to be sure.” 

“ Nay,” cried his master, “ that is clearly impossible, 
for I have seen three sunsets and three sunrises, so that 
I must needs have been away three days.” 

“ Well, well, sir,” was the squire’s reply, “ clearly 
you have only spoken the truth when you talked afore- 
time about magicians and spells. It is some enchant- 
ment that has made an hour seem like three days. 
But, master, if you would have me speak my mind 
plainly, let me tell you that I don’t believe a single word 
of this story of yours.” 


221 


The History of Don Quixote 

What can you mean, friend ?” cried the student. 

Do you accuse the noble Don Quixote of telling lies ?” 

No, I don’t say that, neither,” said Sancho, but 
t do believe that some wizard has crammed all this 
nonsense into his head.” 

“ That may indeed be so,” said the knight, “ and 
yet I am positive that I saw all these things with my 
own eyes. Moreover, soon afterwards, I beheld three 
young country girls dancing and capering together 
in one of these pleasant meadows, and instantly I knew 
them to be the Lady Dulcinea and her two companions, 
the same that we met with outside the city of Torboso. 
I asked Montesinos if he recognised them, and he told 
me that they were three enchanted ladies who had 
newly come to the place.” 

At that Sancho Panza was like to have burst out 
laughing, for he knew well that he himself had been the 
wizard in the matter of the enchanting of the Lady 
Dulcinea. However, he managed to keep his counte- 
nance, and said : ‘‘ Pray, sir, how did you know that it 
was your lady ? Did you speak to her ? And what 
did she say ?” 

‘‘ I knew her,” answered Don Quixote, “ by her 
clothes, which were the same as when we saw her 
before, and I spoke to her, but immediately she turned 
and ran away like the wind. However, later on, while 
I was talking to Montesinos, one of the damsels came 
up and addressed herself to me. 

“‘Sir,’ she said, ‘the Lady Dulcinea sends her 
service to you, and as she has no money, she desires 
you to lend her some.’ 


222 


Montesinos’ Cave 

“ These wordsamazed me, and turning to Montesinos 
I cried: ‘ Is it possible that persons of quality, when 
enchanted, can be in need ?’ He told me that such 
was indeed the case, and thereupon I gave the girl all 
the money I had with me, which was but little, and 
bade her tell her mistress that I would never cease 
from wandering through the world until I had freed 
her from her enchantment.” 

“ Now, Heaven defend us !” exclaimed Sancho. 
“ Who would have believed that my poor master could 
be so bewitched ? Rouse yourself, sir, and clear your 
head of these foolish whimsies. What will the. world 
think of you ?” 

‘‘ Ah ! Sancho,” said Don Quixote, I cannot be 
angry with you, for you mean well. Some day, how- 
ever, you will know that everything happened as I have 
described.” 

This, then, is the knight’s account of his wonderful 
experiences in the Cave of Montesinos, and at the 
time he may well have believed that he was speaHng 
the truth. Certain it is, however, that before his 
death he confessed that the whole marvellous story 
was a fable, and that he invented it, partly for his own 
amusement, and partly, also, because it was like the 
adventures of which he had often read in the old 
romances. 


223 


CHAPTER XXIII 


“ Ari account of the Braying Adventure^ that of the 
Puf pet-player^ and the wonderful divining of the 
Fortune-telling ApeA 

AS the travellers went on their way, after the 
adventure of Montesinos’ Cave, they were 
overtaken by a man on foot, who walked at a 
great pace and led a mule laden with lances and 
halberts. 

“ Stay, honest fellow,” cried Don Quixote, seeing 
that he was about to pass them by; “ make no more 
haste than is consistent with good speed.” 

‘‘ I cannot wait, sir,” was the reply, “ for these 
weapons have to be used to-morrow. However, I 
lodge to-night at the inn beyond the hermitage, and 
if you chance to go that way, and we meet, I will tell 
you a good story.” He then hurried on once more 
and was soon out of sight. 

Our hero and his companions followed more 
leisurely along the same road, and at nightfall the inn 
was reached. 

The man with the lances and halberts was found 
to be in the stable dressing down his mule, but Don 
Quixote was so impatient for the story that, after 
reminding him of his promise, he helped him to clean 
out the beast’s manger and sift the barley. Then 
224 


The Braying Adventure 

they repaired to the inn parlour, and with all the 
company gathered round as audience, the man began 
his tale in this manner : 

A little while ago, in a town not more than twelve 
miles from here, it happened that one of the aldermen 
lost his ass, and, although he hunted high and low, the 
beast could not be found. When it had been missing 
fourteen days, another alderman, meeting the owner 
of the lost beast, said to him: Friend, if you pay me 
well, I will bring you news of your ass.” 

“ Agreed,” was the reply; and then the other said: 

This morning, in the mountains, I met your ass 
without pack-saddle or harness and looking so thin 
and woebegone that it made my heart ache to see 
him. I tried to catch him, but he ran away and dis- 
appeared into a thicket. Now, if you wish, we will 
both go and look for him together.” 

Truly, sir,” cried the first alderman, I am 
mightily grateful and will do as much for you another 
time.” 

Well, the two men started off together for the 
mountains, and trudged uphill and down dale, but 
no ass could be found. At last the second alderman 
said to the first : Sir, I have a plan, and if we carry it 
out, sure it is that your beast will be recovered. I, 
you must know, can bray like an ass, most excellently 
well, and, if you can bray but a little, the scheme will 
succeed.” 

A little !” cried the other. “ Why, sir, I can bray as 
well as any ass or alderman either in the whole world.” 

225 p 


The History of Don Quixote 

‘‘ Well, well,” was the reply, ‘‘ we shall see. You 
go one side of the hill, and I will go the other. 
Sometimes you shall bray, and sometimes I will, and 
your ass is certain to answer and bray again.” 

At that they parted company, and when they were 
far enough apart they started braying so perfectly 
that it would have done your heart good to hear them, 
and each thought that the other was the lost ass. 

“ Is it possible, friend,” the owner said, when they 
met again, ‘‘ that it was not my ass that brayed ?” 

“ No, it was not,” said the second alderman, “ it 
was I.” 

“ Well, sir,” was the reply, ‘‘ there is no difference 
between you and an ass in the matter of braying.” 

“ Oh, fie !” quoth the other, ‘‘ I am nothing to you, 
for your voice is lofty and of great compass. Besides, 
you keep mo^t excellent time.” 

They then went braying again, but it was of no 
avail, and this was not wonderful, seeing that the ass 
had been eaten by wolves many days before — but this 
they did not know until afterwards. 

Well, the aldermen at last went home, very hoarse, 
and on arriving at the town they told the story; and 
soon the idle fellows got hold of it, so that the whole 
town was a-braying. 

Other towns heard of this, and started braying 
too, whenever they saw any of our folk. A quarrel 
arose on the matter, and soon from words it came to 
blows. Now the jest has been carried so far that 
to-morrow there will be a battle between our men, 
the brayers, and those of another town about six 
226 


The Braying Adventure 

miles away who are always jeering at us. It is for 
this battle that I bring the weapons, and that is the 
whole story. 

Just as the man had finished speaking, and before 
the listeners could thank him, in came a man dressed 
all in leather, who shouted in a loud voice : Landlord, 
have you any lodgings ? For here come the puppet- 
players and the fortune-telling ape.” 

My faith !” cried the innkeeper. “ Is it you. 
Master Peter ? We shall indeed have a merry night. 
But where is the ape ? And where is the puppet- 
show ? I don’t see them.” 

‘‘ They will be here directly,” said the man in 
leather, who, I had forgotten to say, wore a green patch 
over one eye; ‘‘ I only came on ahead to see if you had 
room.” This said, he hurried out of the inn. 

Don Quixote then inquired who this Master Peter 
might be, and learned that he strolled the country 
with a fine puppet-show and an ape. 

Bless us, sir 1” continued the man. ‘‘ It is such an 
ape ! The like has never been seen before. Ask him 
any question: he will listen, and, leaping on to his 
master’s shoulder, will whisper in his ear. Peter then 
tells you the answer; it may be of the past, the present, 
or the future. The ape is seldom wrong, and the 
price is low into the bargain.” 

By this time Master Peter had returned with his 
puppet-show and the ape in a cart. It was a sturdy 
ape, with a short tail, and yet not very ugly either. 
Don Quixote no sooner saw the creature than he bade 
227 


The History of Don Quixote 

Sancho pay the fee, and said : ‘‘ Master fortune-teller, 
will you be pleased to tell us how we shall prosper and 
what will become of us ?” 

Thereupon the ape skipped on to its master s 
shoulder and made as though it whispered into his 



ttbe ape skippeD on to its master’s sboulbers/' 

ear, and then Peter ran to Don Quixote and fell down 
on to his knees in front of him. 

Oh, glorious restorer of knight-errantry !” he 
cried. Oh, great Don Quixote de la Mancha ! You 
who are the consoler of drooping hearts and the helper 
of the weak and down-trodden !” 

228 


The Braying Adventure 

At these words Don Quixote was amazed, and 
said: I am indeed the Don Quixote mentioned by 

this ingenious animal, although I am not worthy of 
the good character he has given me. However, I 
strive always to help all men and harm none.’’ 

The rest of the company then asked questions, 
which were answered very discreetly, and afterwards 
Don Quixote, who was positive that there was magic 
in the business, inquired whether the things that had 
happened to him in Montesinos’ Cave were dreams 
or realities. 

“ Some of them were true and some were false,” 
was the reply; and then Master Peter declared that 
the ape’s wisdom had departed from him, and that he 
would not be able to answer any more questions for 
several days. 

The company now repaired to the room where 
the puppet-show had been made ready, and there it 
stood, very gay and glittering, with a number of little 
wax candles set round it. 

Master Peter was behind, for he it was that moved 
the puppets, and a boy stood outside to tell what they 
said and to explain the mystery of the performance. 

All the audience took their places, Don Quixote 
and Sancho being in the front as honoured guests, 
and then the play began. 

‘‘ Gentlemen,” the boy cried, raising his voice, 
‘‘ we present to you a true history from the Chronicles 
of France. It is the story of how Don Gayferos 
rescued his wife, the fair Melisandra, from the Moors 
of Saragossa. Sirs, cast your eyes up to that tower. 

229 


The History of Don Quixote 

The lady on the balcony is fair Melisandra. And now, 
wrapped in a Gascoyne cloak, conies Don Gayferos 
himself. She takes him for a stranger, but he quickly 
makes himself known, as you may see by the joy that 
she shows.” 

Thus the play went on, the puppets, moved by 
Master Peter, acting their parts, and the boy explaining 
the story. Don Quixote interrupted several times, and 
grew more and more excited, for to his disordered 
fancy it seemed that the acting was a reality. 

At last, when the escaping husband and wife were 
chased by savage Moors, the knight became beside 
himself with rage, and starting up, he drew his sword 
and attacked the harmless puppets with prodigious 
fury. 

Some of the dolls he overthrew, some he beheaded, 
and some he cut in pieces. Only a lucky chance 
prevented him from killing Master Peter, who was 
hidden behind the little stage. 

‘‘ Stop, stop ! sir,” cried the man, terrified at our 
hero’s anger and at his own narrow escape. ‘‘ Hold ! for 
pity’s sake. These are no wild Moors, but puppets 
made of pasteboard. Stop ! for if you destroy them, 
my means of livelihood is gone and I am ruined for ever.” 

Don Quixote, however, would not listen, but slashed 
right and left more vehemently than before. The 
whole audience was in consternation, the ape scampered 
away to the roof of the house, and even Sancho was 
alarmed, for he had never seen his master in such a 
passion before. 

At last, when, as he thought, all the pagans were 
230 


The Braying Adventure 

defeated, Don Quixote’s fury began to abate, and then 
he listened to the explanation of Master Peter and the 
rest of the company. 

“ Well,” said the knight, when these came to an end, 
“ now am I more convinced than ever that I am perse- 
cuted by wicked magicians. First they delude me 
into dangerous adventures, and then change the appear- 
ances of things as they please. Truly, gentlemen, I 
vow and protest that all that took place here seemed 
to me reality, and I acted according to my duty, which 
obliged me to take the injured side. Now I am sorry 
for the mischance, and will condemn myself to pay 
all costs.” 

With that he ordered Sancho to give money to 
Master Peter for the damage done to the puppets, 
and also for the loss of the ape; and then, everyone 
being appeased, they went to supper. 

And now this was the secret of the fortune-telling 
ape: Master Peter, its owner, was none other than 
Gines de Passamonte — he who had been the ringleader 
of the escaped galley slaves and had afterwards stolen 
Sancho Panza’s ass. He had purchased the ape from 
some Christians escaped from Barbary, and had taught 
it the trick of climbing on to his shoulder and of putting 
its mouth to his ear. Being a clever fellow, Gines 
informed himself of the lives and habits of the people 
in those towns that he visited, and, in his fortune- 
telling, used the information thus gained. 

Disguised as he was with the green patch over his 
eye, Don Quixote and Sancho did not know the rascal, 
but he recognised them as soon as he entered the inn, 
231 


The History of Don Quixote 

and put his^knowledge to good account. Now that 
his puppets were destroyed, he wished to have no more 
dealings with the knight, so at daybreak next morning, 
having recovered his ape and picked up the ruins of 
his show, he started off once more to seek his fortune. 

Later in the morning Don Quixote and Sancho 
Panza also left the inn and proceeded on their journey, 
but before they had gone far they turned aside from 
the high road, as the knight wished to have a sight of the 
River Ebro. 

For two days they travelled without incident, and 
then, as they were ascending a hill, a great noise of 
drums, trumpets, and guns came to their ears. 

It seemed as if a regiment of soldiers must be passing 
through the valley on the other side, but when the 
summit of the hill was reached, Don Quixote saw below 
only a rabble of about two hundred men armed with 
lances, halberts, pikes, and carbines. There were 
banners, too, and on one of these was a picture of a 
little ass stretching out its neck and braying lustily. 

It was evident then that these were the men of the 
braying-town prepared to do battle with their enemies, 
and, seeing this, Don Quixote lifted his visor and rode 
forward till he reached the standard. 

Sancho followed his master with a bad grace, for 
warlike adventures were not to his taste; and as for 
the people, they crowded round the knight, thinking 
that some great champion had come to their assistance. 

Don Quixote then, seeing that he was received 
civilly and in silence by the inhabitants of the braying- 
town, lifted up his voice and began a long discourse, 
232 


The Braying Adventure 

in which he bade them not go to war for a trifle, but 
forgive the foolish insults of their neighbours and never 
take up arms again save in some noble and worthy cause. 

Upon my word quoth Sancho to himself as he 
listened, “ this master of mine should have been a 
parson instead of a knight-errant;” and then, when 
Don Quixote paused to take breath, he addressed the 
company in his turn. 

‘‘ Gentlemen,” said he, “ my master, called formerly 
the ‘ Knight of the Doleful Countenance ’ and now the 
‘ Knight of the Lions,’ is a learned scholar, and you 
would do well to follow his counsel. And, indeed, it is 
a silly thing to be ashamed of being heard to bray. 
When I was a boy, I brayed whenever I liked, and I 
did it right well, too. Without vanity 1 can say that 
all the asses in the place would fall a-braying when 
they heard me. And if you do not believe this, then 
listen, for braying, like swimming, is an art that can 
never be forgotten.” 

With that he clapped both hands to his mouth 
and brayed so loudly that all the hills and valley echoed 
to the sound. 

When they heard this, the people, instead of being 
moved to admiration, thought that he was mocking 
them, and one fellow gave the poor squire such a blow 
with a staff that he fell senseless to the ground. 

Don Quixote, on seeing this, threatened the rabble 
with his lance, meaning to take revenge for the insult 
and rescue Sancho, but the crowd thrust themselves 
between, and snatching up stones greeted the knight 
with such a shower that he, thinking discretion the 

233 


The History of Don Quixote 

better part of valour, turned about and rode awaj^ as 
fast as Rosinante’s four legs would carry him. 

The countrymen, seeing Don Quixote fly from 
them in this manner, did not trouble to molest him 
further, but set Sancho on his ass and suffered him also 
to depart. The poor man was still dazed, but Dapple 
followed Rosinante of his own accord, and the knight, 
having reached a place of safety, waited for his squire 
to come up. 

As for the men of the braying-town, they waited 
until it grew dark, and then, as their enemies had not 
appeared, made their way home, well pleased to have 
been able to show their courage without running into 
any danger. 


234 


CHAPTER XXIV 

‘‘ The famous adventure of the enchanted bark^ together 
with an accou7it of how Don Quixote and Sancho 
Panza arrived at the Duke^s castleP 

S ANCHO PANZA was in an evil humour when 
he joined his master after the affray with the 
men of the braying-town, and he complained 
grievously because Don Quixote had ridden away 
and left him. The knight also was enraged, and de- 
clared that Sancho, by his ill-timed display of braying, 
had interrupted his own peaceful discourse and set 
the listeners by the ears. 

“ So you must needs bray, must you, sirrah ?” he 
cried. Well, then, what could you expect for your 
pains ? You may think yourself fortunate that the 
blow dealt you was given with a quarter-staff and not 
with a cutlass.” 

I have no breath to answer you at present,” 
replied the squire. ‘‘ Pray let us get away from this 
vile place, and yet I cannot help saying, sir, that it 
amazed me to see a brave knight-errant take refuge 
in flight.” 

“ A retreat is not a flight,” was Don Quixote’s 
reply, “ and in retiring I did but follow the example 
of many valiant men. History is full of such cases, but 
I have no time to relate them now.” 

235 


The History of Don Quixote 

Sancho did not receive this explanation in very 
good part, but after a time the knight and the squire 
made up their differences. 

They continued the journey, arriving at last on 
the bank of the River Ebro. 

Here Don Quixote spied a small boat moored to 
the stump of a tree, and dismounting, he ordered 
Sancho to do the same and to tether their steeds to 
some willows that grew near at hand. 

The squire asked the meaning of this, and his 
master answered that doubtless the boat was a magic 
craft, put into that place for the convenience of any 
knight-errant who might desire to cross the stream. 

‘‘ It is as clear as day, Sancho,” he said, and 
embark I will, whatever happens.” 

‘‘Well, well,” said the other, “if I must, I must; 
but, all the same, sir, I tell you plainly that I can see 
with half an eye that this is no enchanted bark, but 
only the boat of some poor fisherman.” 

Don Quixote, however, paid no heed to these 
remarks, and, the two beasts being securely tied to a 
tree, he and Sancho entered the boat and cut its 
moorings. It immediately began to drift down the 
stream, for there was a strong current. 

Before long, two great water-mills were seen in 
the middle of the river, and Don Quixote pointed 
them out to his squire. 

“ See, my Sancho,” he said, “ there is a city or 
a castle yonder. No doubt some knight in distress 
lies there, or a fair princess to whose succour I am being 
conveyed.” 


236 


The Enchanted Bark 

‘‘ What do you mean ?” was the reply. “ Those 
are water-mills, and that is as plain as the nose on your 
face.” 

‘‘ Silence !” said the other. They may look like 
water-mills, but that is because some magician has 
transformed them. Have you forgotten the enchant- 
ment of the Princess Dulcinea ?” 

The boat now being in the middle of the stream, 
sped along more quickly, and the men at the mills, 
seeing that it was adrift, ran with long poles and tried 
to stop it before the mill-race should be reached. 

‘‘ Hi ! sir, look out !” they shouted. ‘‘ You will be 
drowned or chopped to pieces by the mill-wheels.” 

Don Quixote, however, took these men to be 
hobgoblins, and, standing up in the boat, threatened 
them with his drawn sword. The millers, however, 
paid no heed to his antics. They succeeded at last 
in stopping the boat, but, at the same time, it was 
upset and the knight and his squire were thrown into 
the water. Luckily, Don Quixote could swim, 
although he was sadly impeded by his armour; and 
soon he and his squire were dragged ashore, exhausted 
and drenched to the skin. No sooner had they been 
rescued than the fisherman who owned the boat 
appeared on the scene and demanded compensation 
for its loss. 

Well, well,” said Don Quixote, it is very evident 
that in this case two wizards have been in conflict. 
The one provided me with the boat, and the other 
overwhelmed me in it. There is truly nothing but 
plotting and counter-plotting in this world.” 

237 


The History of Don Quixote 

He then ordered Sancho to pay the money to the 
fisherman, and, this matter having been settled, the 
knight and his squire returned to the place where 
Dapple and Rosinante had been left. 

Thus ended the adventure of the enchanted bark, 
and the travellers went on their way with wet clothes 
and melancholy minds. 

The next day, at about sunset, as they were coming 
out of a wood, Don Quixote cast his eyes round and, 
at a little distance, saw a company engaged in hawking. 
Among them was a lady, so richly dressed in green that 
nothing could be finer. She was' riding on a white 
palfrey that had green trappings and a saddle-cloth 
of silver cloth. 

Don Quixote saw at once that she must be a person 
of quality and great importance, so he called to his 
squire and said; ‘‘Sancho, my son, go and tell that 
lady that the ‘ Knight of the Lions ’ salutes her, that 
he begs for the honour of kissing her hand, and would 
be proud to obey her commands.” 

Sancho obeyed his master without delay. He 
forced Dapple from his usual slow pace into a gallop, 
and rode up to the hawking party in grand style. 

“ Honest squire,” said the lady, who was a duchess, 
though I do not know her particular title, “ is not this 
master of yours the same renowned Don Quixote of 
whose exploits we have all heard, whose lady-love is 
the beautiful Dulcinea of Torboso ? And are not you 
his squire, Sancho Panza ?” 

“ That is indeed so,” answered Sancho, no less 
amazed at the lady’s beauty than at her courtesy; and 
238 



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The Enchanted Bark 

then she said : Go, my friend, tell the knight that he 
is welcome to our country, and that I and the Duke, 
my husband, desire him to honour us with his company 
in our castle hard by, so that we may entertain him in a 
fashion worthy of his great renown.” 

The squire departed on his errand, and the Duchess 
then sent for her husband and told him what had 
happened. They awaited the coming of their guest 
with pleasant impatience, for they had heard of his 
exploits, and they determined while he was with them 
to humour him in all ways, and to treat him with the 
forms and ceremonies suitable to a knight-errant of 
renown. 

And now Don Quixote drew near and was welcomed 
with great civility. They then set off for the castle, 
Don Quixote riding at the lady’s side. Sancho, 
however, crowded between them, to the delight of the 
Duchess, who found the roguish squire and his proverbs 
much to her taste. 

On his arrival at the castle our hero was treated with 
the utmost ceremony, for the Duke had ridden on to 
instruct his servants in their behaviour. At the gate, 
therefore, two lacqueys met the knight-errant, and in 
the courtyard were beautiful damsels, who threw a 
mantle of rich scarlet stuff about his shoulders. More- 
over, the galleries round were thronged with men and 
women, who sprinkled perfumes and cried: “ Welcome, 
welcome ! thou flower of knights and mirror of 
chivalry.” 

Don Quixote and Sancho were transported with 
delight at this princely reception, and our hero was 
241 Q 


The History of Don Quixote 

convinced that now he was a knight-errant in very 
truth and not only in his own imagination. Later on 
there was a great supper in the banqueting-hall of 
the mansion. Don Quixote was the guest of honour, 
while Sancho Panza stood behind his chair and, as was 
his wont, joined in the conversation again and again. 
The knight was in consequence ill at ease during the 
meal, thinking that Sancho would offend with his 
impertinences, but instead both the Duke and Duchess 
were amused with him, and the Duke, knowing of 
Don Quixote’s promise, assured the squire that 
he should be made governor of one of his own 
islands. 

When supper was drawing to an end, the Duchess 
turned to our hero, who was seated beside her, and 
inquired what news he had of the Lady Dulcinea. 

“ Alas ! madam,” was the answer, ‘‘ I fear that my 
misfortunes will never have an end, for my dear lady 
is enchanted, and has been transformed into the ugliest 
country girl you could wish to see.” 

The Duchess expressed great concern at this bad 
tidings, and later on she heard the whole story of what 
had happened at Torboso from the lips of Sancho Panza, 
who described how he had deceived his master in the 
matter. 

Both the Duke and the Duchess were diverted with 
the humours of their guests, and resolved to carry out 
a design which should have the appearance of a 
marvellous adventure. They did not anticipate that 
this would be difficult to arrange, for it was evident 
that the foolish Sancho really believed now that the 
242 


The Enchanted Bark 

Lady Dulcinea was under a spell, although in the first 
place he himself had invented the whole business. 

A few days later, therefore, a hunting party was 
arranged, and the whole company sallied out to a forest 
which was situated between two high mountains. 
Here a fierce wild boar was chased and killed, and the 
time passed pleasantly enough until nightfall, when 
suddenly blazing torches were seen through the trees, 
and there was a terrible turmoil of drums, trumpets, and 
battle-cries. The din was so hideous that even the 
Duke and Duchess who had planned the jest were 
amazed, and as for Sancho Panza, he trembled like a 
leaf. 

Presently a strange figure appeared, dressed like 
a demon, and stopping in front of the assembled 
company, he said: go in quest of Don Quixote 

de la Mancha, and behind me there are six bands of 
magicians, who conduct the peerless Dulcinea del 
Torboso, enchanted, in a triumphal chariot.” 

This said, the demon blew his horn again and 
rode away. 

The night now grew darker and more fearsome, 
and soon was heard a noise that sounded like the 
rumbling of heavy waggons. Sundry carts then came 
by, in each of which was an old man attired like a 
necromancer, and after these appeared a stately chariot, 
drawn by six mules. 

In this chariot was a throne, on which sat a lovely 
maiden arrayed in robes of silver stuff that glittered 
with spangles. Her face was covered with a gauze 
veil, but through it her features could be seen. 

243 


The History of Don Quixote 

Close by this beautiful lady stood a figure all in 
black, and when the car stopped he began to speak, and 
announced that he was Merlin, the mighty wizard 
of Britain, and that the nymph was Dulcinea herself, 
permitted for a little while to resume her natural shape. 
She was, however, still bewitched, and there was only 
one way by which the dread spell could be removed, 
and this was for Sancho Panza, the squire of Don 
Quixote, to give himself three thousand and three 
hundred lashes. If this was done, the lady would be 
delivered from her enchantment. 

By my faith !” cried Sancho. ‘‘Three thousand 
lashes ! If that is the only remedy, then the Lady 
Dulcinea may stay bewitched until her dying day.” 

“ How now, rascal !” exclaimed Don Quixote. 
“ What villainy is this ? I will myself tie you to a 
tree, and give you, not three thousand, but six thou- 
sand lashes.” 

“ Nay, sir,” interrupted Merlin, “ the stripes 
inflicted on honest Sancho must needs be voluntary 
and self-inflicted. They may, however, be adminis- 
tered when he thinks fit, for no time is fixed for the 
penance.” 

“ Never will there be any such penance,” was 
Sancho’s retort; “or, if my master wishes the Lady 
Dulcinea to be disenchanted, he can whip himself 
and free her at his own cost.” 

No sooner had the squire thus spoken than the 
nymph at Merlin’s side rose from her throne, and in 
a harsh voice, that accorded ill with her beautiful 
face, rated Sancho soundly. At last the man re- 
244 


The Enchanted Bark 

lented, and agreed to undertake the punishment as 
decreed. 

‘‘ Needs must where the devil drives,” he said. 

I yield to my hard luck, and will undertake to do 
the penance.” 

And now, this matter being arranged, the chariot 
moved on and the masquerade came to an end. It 
had all been planned and carried out by the Duke’s 
steward, a man of a merry wit and a nice fancy; he 
it was who acted the part of Merlin, while that of the 
Lady Dulcinea had been undertaken by a young page. 
Now, at his master’s bidding, the steward prepared 
another adventure, which, as you shall hear, proved 
to be both surprising and entertaining. 


CHAPTER XXV 


‘‘ The amazing and wonderful adventure of the Discon- 
solate Lady.^"^ 

T he next morning the Duchess summoned 
Sancho Panza and inquired whether he had yet 
begun the penance for the deliverance of Lady 
Dulcinea del Torboso, as had been arranged with 
the magician Merlin. 

Aye, that I have,” was the reply; I have already 
given myself five good lashes with the palm of my 
hand.” 

“ With the palm of your hand !” cried the other. 
‘‘ I doubt whether Merlin will be satisfied with such 
a weapon as that. The disenchantment of the lady 
cannot be purchased so easily. No, you must lash 
yourself with something that will make you smart, 
my good fellow. A cat-o’-nine-tails would suffice, 
or a friar’s scourge.” 

“ As you wish, madam,” quoth Sancho, not best 
pleased with this decree; ‘‘and will your Grace then 
provide me with a whip ? It must not be too cruel 
a one, however, for though I may be only a common 
fellow, yet my skin is as tender as that of any fine 
gentleman.” 

That day dinner was served for the Duke and 
his guests in the garden of the castle, and hardly 
246 


The Disconsolate Lady 

had the meal come to an end, when there was 
heard the sound of fife and drums. All the company 
appeared to be alarmed at this discordant din, and 
Sancho crouched in terror behind the chair of the 
Duchess. 

While the consternation was at its height, three 
men appeared, dressed in black garments and playing 
on musical instruments. Behind them came a person 
of gigantic stature, also attired in black and with a 
huge scimitar slung to his belt. Over this man’s face 
was a veil of some thin stuff through which his features 
and a long white beard could be seen. 

This man advanced at a slow, majestic pace until 
he reached the Duke’s chair, and then he threw himself 
down on to his knees and began to speak in a loud, 
deep voice. 

“ Most mighty lord,” he said, I am Trifaldin 
of the White Beard, squire to the Countess Trifaldi 
who is called the Disconsolate Lady. I come to your 
Grace from her, to relate the sad history of the mis- 
fortunes which have befallen her. But first she begs 
to know whether the valiant knight, Don Quixote 
de la Mancha, is with you, for it is to see him that my 
mistress has travelled all the way from the kingdom 
of Candaya to this place. She is even now at the 
castle gate, waiting your permission to enter.” 

“ Honest squire,” answered the Duke, ‘‘ we heard 
long ago of the sad misfortunes of the Countess 
Trifaldi, and how they were brought about by the 
wiles of a wicked magician. Therefore, bid her enter 
without delay, and tell her that Don Quixote de la 
247 


The History of Don Quixote 

Mancha is present here, and will doubtless take it upon 
himself to redress her wrongs.” 

Trifaldin thereupon bowed low, and then he and 
the musicians marched out in the same order as that 
in which they had come. 

The Duke then turned to Don Quixote and said : 
‘‘ Behold, sir, how the tidings of your arrival here have 
reached to the uttermost parts of the world. The 
fame of your exploits has spread abroad, and there 
is no one that has not heard tell of your invincible 
bravery.” 

“ My lord,” answered our hero, as for me, I 
thank Heaven a thousand times that I was created 
a knight- err ant. Let this lady make known her 
request, and both my arm and my sword shall be at 
her service.” 

The Duke and Duchess were mightily pleased 
to hear Don Quixote talk in this fashion, and soon there 
was heard once more the sound of drums and fife. 
Then twelve elderly dames entered the garden walking 
two and two. They were attired in black dresses, and 
on their heads were white veils of some thick stuff 
which completely hid their faces and reached almost 
to the ground. Behind came the Countess Trifaldi 
herself, conducted by her squire. She, like the others, 
wore black, but her gown was of fine cloth and it had 
a long train that was cut into three points. These 
were carried by three sable-clad pages, and from this 
triangular shape of her cloak the name Trifaldi, 
which means threefold, was doubtless taken. 

The procession approached slowly, and, when they 
2^8 


The Disconsolate Lady 

came near the Duke and Duchess, all the waiting-women 
stood apart, and thus made a lane through which the 
Countess Trifaldi advanced. 

The Duke, his wife, and Don Quixote rose from 
their seats and came forward to welcome the lady, -who 
immediately flung herself on to her knees in front of 
them. 

May it please your highnesses,” she cried — and 
her voice was strangely harsh and deep — ‘‘ to spare 
yourselves the trouble of greeting with such ceremony 
a man — a woman, I mean — who is one of your most 
humble servants.” 

The Duke ariswered the lady kindly, and, raising 
her to her feet, led her to a chair which was placed 
beside that of the Duchess. Don Quixote then came 
forward and made himself known in these words : 

“ I am Don Quixote de la Mancha, whose pro- 
fession it is to help all those who are weak and distressed. 
Pray, madam, give me then an account of your mis- 
fortunes, so that I may know what means should be 
employed for their relief.” 

The Countess, hearing this speech, threw herself 
on to the ground and tried to embrace the knight’s 
feet. “ Invincible hero !” she exclaimed, ‘‘ whose 
achievements surpass those of all the champions of 
ancient times.” Then, turning to Sancho Panza, she 
cried : ‘‘Oh ! loyal squire, may I implore you to use your 
wondrous eloquence on my behalf, that the favour of 
your valiant master may be extended to me ?” 

At this the Duke and Duchess were hardly able 
to CQPce^l their merriment. Then, without more 
249 


The History of Don Quixote 

delay, the Disconsolate Lady rose to her feet, seated 
herself, and began her story. 

‘‘ The great kingdom of Candaya,” she began, 
“ which is situated beyond Cape Cormorin, had for its 
sovereign the Lady Maguntia, her husband, the King 
Archipelo, being dead, and their daughter, the Princess 
Antonomasia, was heiress to the throne. This maiden 
was reared and educated by me, I being chief lady-in- 
waiting to the queen, her mother. 

“ Time went on, and the princess, growing up, 
became the most beautiful, the most learned, and the 
most discreet lady in the whole world. It was not 
surprising, then, when a young knight who resided at the 
Court was audacious enough to fall in love with her. 

‘‘This gentleman, Clavijo by name, was both 
handsome and clever, so that he quickly won my good- 
will and I influenced the princess in his favour. The 
maiden and the knight, therefore, became betrothed; 
but when the queen heard what had happened, she 
was astounded at the knight’s presumption and straight- 
way died of grief and anger. 

“ This seemed to me a sad pity, for the gentleman 
was both comely and courteous; but, indeed, had the 
Lady Antonomasia declared her intention of wedding 
a common footman, her majesty could hot have made 
more commotion. 

“Well, the queen being dead, she was buried, and 
on the day of the funeral, who should appear but her 
cousin, the giant Malambruno, mounted on a wooden 
horse and with a very savage and dreadful aspect. He 
declared that he intended to punish both Don Clavijo 
250 


The Disc onsolate Lady 

and the princess for what they had done and for having 
caused the death of the Lady Maguntia. 

Now, Malambruno was not only a giant, but a 
wizard, and a cruel one at that, so he enchanted the 
lovers upon the tomb itself, transforming Antonomasia 
into a brass monkey and the young knight into a most 
hideous metal crocodile. Between them was an 
inscription in the Syriac language, which since has been 
translated and runs as follows: 

‘ These two persons shall never recover their 
natural shapes until the valiant Don Quixote de la 
Mancha appears to encounter me in single combat. 
By the unchangeable decrees of Fate, this adventure 
is reserved for him alone.’ 

The giant then drew his sword, and seizing me by 
the hair, threatened to cut off my head as a punishment 
for my share in the unhappy business. Terrified, I 
wept and implored for mercy, and at last he relented 
and yielded to my prayers. However, although my 
life and the lives of my waiting-women were spared, 
we did not escape entirely. 

‘ I will not slay you,’ said the giant, ‘ but I will 
inflict upon you a punishment that shall be an eternal 
mortification.’ 

‘‘ As he said these strange words we all felt a sensa- 
tion like the pricking of pins and needles in our chins, 
and now I will show you what happened.” 

With that the Disconsolate Lady and her com- 
panions threw off their veils, and it was seen that they 
all had beards. 

Thus has the wicked enchanter Malambruno 
251 


The History of Don Quixote 

served us,” cried the Countess Trifaldi, and then she 
fell to the ground in a swoon. Everyx^ne showed 
concern at this sad ending to the story, but before long 
the lady recovered, and then once more she begged 
Don Quixote to help her. 

“ I will not hesitate, madam,” was the knight’s 
reply, “ only show me what I can do, and you shall soon 
be convinced of my goodwill.” 

‘‘ You must know, sir,” said the lady then, that 
the kingdom of Candaya is about fifteen thousand miles 
away from here — that is, travelling by land and sea. 
However, as the crow files it is only a matter of some 
ten thousand miles. Now, the wizard Malambruno 
told me that when the knight who is to disenchant us 
should appear, a famous steed would be provided to 
carry him to the spot where the encounter is to take 
place. This is a wooden horse, the same that once was 
ridden by the brave hero, Peter of Provence. 

“ The horse is managed, not by bit and bridle, but 
by a wooden peg in the forehead, and he can fiy so 
quickly that he may be here to-day, in France to- 
morrow, and in America the next day. His name is 
Clavilino, and he can carry two riders.” 

That may very well be,” remarked Sancho 
Panza, ‘‘ but my old Dapple is good enough for me. 
For my part, I have no desire to mount this famous 
horse. Besides, squires need have no share in the 
adventures of their masters, and these ladies and their 
beards are nothing to me.” 

My honest Sancho,” said the Duchess, you 
must needs go with your lord, and it would look ill if, 
252 


The Disc onsolate Lady 

through your cowardice, these poor gentlewomen 
had to continue with beards to the end of their 
lives.” 

The Disconsolate Lady added her entreaties to 
those of the Duchess, and, at last, Sancho promised 
to take part in the coming adventure. 

It was now night, and as the hour appointed for 
the arrival of the magic steed drew near, Don Quixote 
began to be impatient, thinking that perhaps he was to 
be disappointed of the combat with the giant. How- 
ever, four men in the guise of savages suddenly entered 
the garden, and on their shoulders they carried a large 
wooden horse. 

This was set down on its legs before the assembled 
company, and one of the men then cried in a loud 
voice : ‘‘ Now let him who has courage mount this 
steed.” 

I have no courage,” quoth Sancho; but the savage 
continued: “Let the knight who undertakes this 
adventure carry his squire behind him. Their eyes 
must be blindfolded, lest the dazzling and amazing 
height of the altitude at which they fly should make 
them giddy, and the neighing of the horse will inform^ 
them when the. kingdom of Candaya is reached.” 

The Disconsolate Lady then urged Don Quixote 
to mount the horse without delay, but the knight first 
drew Sancho aside for a moment. 

“ My friend,” he said solemnly, “ you are going 
for a long journey, and who knows whether we shall 
ever return. Let me beg you, then, go to your 
apartment before we venture out on this enterprise, 

253 


The History of Don Quixote 

and give yourself some five hundred or so of the lashes 
promised for the disenchantment of the Lady Dulcinea. 
It will soon be over, and a business well begun is, as 
folk say, already half finished.” 

“ Are you mad, sir ?” was the squire’s reply to this 
request. ‘‘ I am going to ride this dangerous horse, and 
now you want me to half kill myself before we start. 
Come, come ! master, one thing at a time. When we 
have freed these gentlewomen from their unsightly 
beards, then it will be time enough to return to the 
Lady Dulcinea de Torboso and her affairs.” 

‘‘ Well, Sancho,” said Don Quixote, ‘‘ I must take 
your word for it, and doubtless you will not fail to 
keep your promise. Truly, I believe that you are 
more fool than knave.” 

‘‘ I am what I am, sir,” answered Sancho, ‘‘ and 
I will keep my word, never fear.” 

The two men then returned to the rest of the 
company, and having been blindfolded, took their 
places on the wooden horse. Don Quixote turned 
the peg in its forehead, and immediately all the folk 
who were gathered round lifted up their voices and 
cried: “Farewell, brave knight and intrepid squire. 
Now you fly aloft ! Ah, see how they mount and 
soar ! Sit fast, dauntless Sancho ! Have a care ! 
Should you fall to the ground now from the dizzy 
height, surely you would be dashed to pieces.” 

Sancho heard all this as he sat behind his master, 
clinging desperately to his waist, and he said: “ It is 
strange, sir, that we can hear the voices of those below 
so clearly, since already we are high above the earth. 

254 


The Disconsolate Lady 

Truly, one would think that those people were still 
close at hand.” 

‘‘ There is nothing strange in that,” answered 



*‘ 3 - never rode 00 easily fn all mg life."' 


Ddn Quixote, ^‘for in these marvellous flights it is 
likely that the hearing of the flyers would be marvellous 
too. But what makes you tremble, my friend,? I 

255 


The History of Don Quixote 

never rode so easily in all my life. The horse goes 
as smoothly as if it were not moving at all.” 

This conversation was very amusing to the Duke, 
the Duchess, and their friends, but now the time came 
for the adventure to be brought to an end. A servant, 
therefore, set fire to the tail of the wooden horse, 
and, as it was stuffed full of squibs and other fireworks, 
it exploded with a tremendous noise, and the knight 
and squire, both somewhat scorched, were thrown 
with great violence to the ground. 

The Disconsolate Lady, meanwhile, withdrew with 
all her attendants, and when Don Quixote and Sancho 
recovered enough to stagger to their feet, they dis- 
covered a long spear stuck into the ground with a 
white parchment fastened to it. On the parchment 
were inscribed these words : The famous knight 

Don Quixote de la Mancha achieved the adventure 
of the Countess Trifaldi by attempting it. The 
giant Malambruno is satisfied, the ladies have lost 
their beards, and Clavijo and Antonomasia are restored 
to their former shapes. Also, when the penance of 
the squire is accomplished, the disenchantment of the 
peerless Dulcinea of Torboso will be complete. This 
is the decree of Merlin, the enchanter of enchanters.” 

The Duchess then questioned Sancho Panza as to 
his experiences during his flight through the air, and 
he answered her in this fashion : 

“ Truly, most noble madam,” he said, ‘‘ I have seen 
marvellous things, for I pushed aside a corner of the 
handkerchief with which I was hoodwinked, and 
looked down to the earth. It appeared to be no bigger 
256 


The Disconsolate Lady 

than a mustard seed from that stupendous height, 
and the men walking about seemed the size of hazel- 
nuts.” 

‘‘Have a care! friend,” cried the Duchess. “How 
could men be as big as hazel-nuts if the world itself 
were no greater than a mustard seed ?” 

“ I cannot tell you that,” said the other, “ but I 
only saw it all with a side glance, and as we flew by 
enchantment, doubtless we saw also by enchantment. 
Then we went on until we were at such a height that 
the sky was only a span above my head. There around 
us were the stars, those that are called the Seven Young 
Goats, and they played and gambolled for near an 
hour. Two of the goats were green, two were carna- 
tion colour, two were blue, and one was piebald.” 

The company after that did not ask Sancho any 
more questions, for such was his mood that he would 
willingly have described all the wonders of the heavens, 
although in truth he had never left the Duke’s garden. 

Thus ended the adventure of the Disconsolate 
Lady, which mightily pleased the Duke and the 
Duchess. However, when Don Quixote was alone 
with Sancho, he whispered a few words into his ear. 

“ Sancho, my son,” he said, “ if you want us to 
believe your stories of the skies, you must needs accept 
my account of what I saw in the Cavern of Montesinos.” 


CHAPTER XXVI 


“ How the great Sancho Panza took 'possession of his 
island, in what manner he ruled, and the toilsome 
end and conclusion of his government^ 

T he success of the adventure of the Disconsolate 
Lady pleased the Duke and Duchess so much that 
they lost no time in arranging another pleasant 
project. The next day, therefore, the Duke, having 
given the necessary instructions to his servants, bade 
Sancho Panza prepare to leave for his promised island. 

Sancho bowed low and thanked his benefactor 
in a humble voice. 

“ Sir,” he said, since I came down from the skies 
the earth seems so small that I am no longer very eager 
to be a governor. However, if you think fit to give 
me an island, I will do my best to rule it with success ; 
for surely it is a fine thing to govern, even if one only 
has dominion over a flock of sheep.” 

Sancho,” said the Duke, “ I hope you will prove 
as good a governor as your wisdom promises. To- 
morrow you may set out for your island, and you shall 
be furnished with dress and equipage suited to your 
high position.” 

‘‘ You may dress me as you will, sir,” was the squire’s 
reply, I shall still be the same Sancho Panza.” 

Don Quixote now came up, and hearing that 
258 



**’^c was 60 bappi2 that be woulb not have eban^eb 
places wltb tbe ^Emperor of (Berman^/" 




t 


The Island of Sancho Panza 

Sancho was to leave on the following day, he took him 
aside and gave him much good counsel as to his duties 
and demeanour; for the knight was not to accompany 
his servant, but had consented to remain for a while 
in the castle, as the honoured guest of the Duke and the 
Duchess. 

All arrangements now having been made for the 
departure of Sancho Panza, and the Duke and Duchess 
being eager to carry out their new jest, the squire was 
despatched with a fine equipage to his dominions. 

The management of the affair was entrusted to the 
Duke’s steward, and when everything was ready, 
Sancho set out with a great train of followers. He was 
attired in a long coat of silk and a cap of the same stuff, 
and rode on a mule, while behind came Dapple, his 
favourite ass, bridled and saddled like a horse of state 
and with fine trappings. This circumstance delighted 
the squire above everything, and he turned round 
continually to look at the animal, and was so happy that 
he would not have changed places even with the 
Emperor of Germany himself. 

After travelling some distance the cavalcade arrived 
at a town of about one thousand inhabitants, and this 
Sancho was told was his government, the island of 
Barataria. When they reached the gates, for it was a 
walled town, the chief officers came out and the bells 
of all the churches were rung in welcome. 

There then followed sundry absurd ceremonies, 
in which the keys of the place were delivered to Sancho 
Panza and he was hailed as the new ruler. Those 
people who knew nothing of the jest were amazed at 
261 


The History of Don Quixote 

the short, stout figure of the governor, and even those 
in the plot were a little surprised. 

After all the ceremonies of his state welcome had 
come to an end, Sancho was taken to the Court of 
Justice, and the Duke’s steward said to him: ‘‘ Sir, it is 
an ancient custom here that every new ruler should 
answer some curious and difficult questions; by his 
replies the people may judge whether he is a man of 
ability and understanding, and whether they ought to 
be glad or sorry at his coming.” 

Sancho Panza was then placed on a high seat in 
the court, and two men were brought before him. 
One seemed to be a farmer, and the other was a tailor, 
for he carried a large pair of shears in his hand. 

“ If it pleases you, my Lord Governor,” the tailor 
began, ‘‘ I and this countryman have come here before 
your worship so that you may judge our case. Yester- 
day this honest fellow came to my shop and brought me 
a piece of cloth. ‘ Sir,’ said he, ‘ is there enough 
stuff here to make me a new cap ?’ 

‘‘ I measured the cloth and answered, ‘ Yes, ’ and 
then he, thinking that I meant to steal some of his 
cloth, said: ‘ Pray, is there not enough for two caps ?’ 

‘‘ I, seeing his meaning, and that he suspected my 
honesty, determined how to deal with him, and said that 
there was. Thereupon he asked whether it would make 
three caps, then four, and, at last, five. I, resolved to 
humour the fellow, said that it might, and we struck 
a bargain. Now he has come for his caps, and, having 
seen them, he refuses to pay me and asb for his cloth 
again.” 


262 


The Island of Sancho Panza 

“ Is this true demanded Sancho of the farmer. 

‘‘ Yes, if it pleases you, sir,” was the reply, ‘‘ but 
let him show you the five caps that he has made me.” 

“ With all my heart !” answered the tailor; and with 



see tbe five caps.^" 


that he took from under his cloak five tiny caps, so 
small that they fitted on to his fingers and thumb. 

There,” quoth he, you see the five caps that 
this good man asked me to make him, and I swear that 
I have not cheated him out of a scrap of his cloth.” 

The sight of the little caps set all the company 
263 


The History of Don Quixote 

laughing, but Sancho Panza considered the question 
gravely. 

“ Methinks,’’ he said at last, ‘‘ this matter may be 
quickly decided, and therefore my judgment is that 
the farmer lose his cloth and the tailor lose his money, 
and that the caps be given to poor prisoners. Thus 
there is an end of the whole business.” 

The people in the court were amused at this decree, 
but decided that Sancho had answered discreetly. 
Many other cases were heard, and at the end of the day 
nobody was certain whether the new governor were 
a wise man or a fool. 

After the trials Sancho was conducted from the 
Law Courts to a fine palace, and there he found a 
cloth spread and a grand banquet prepared. Trum- 
pets were sounded when he entered the hall, and four 
pages were in attendance. The governor sat down 
at the upper end of the table, and behind his chair 
was stationed a person who proved to be a doctor, 
and who carried a small wand in his hand. One page 
then said grace, a second tied a lace-edged bib round 
Sancho’s neck, and a servant placed a large dish of 
fruit on the table. 

The feast then began, but hardly had Sancho put 
one morsel into his mouth than the doctor touched 
the dish with his wand, and it was instantly removed 
by a page. Another was clapped into its place, but 
the same thing happened again, and at last the new 
governor asked the meaning of these strange proceed- 
ings. 

My lord,” answered the doctor, ‘‘ you must eat 
264 


The Island of Sancho Panza 

after the manner of governors, and your health is in 
my charge. It is my duty to attend at all your meals, 
and to prevent you eating anything that is unwhole- 
some. I ordered the fruit to be taken away because it 
is too cold, and the next dish was hot and over-seasoned 
with spices.” 

“ Well, then,” cried Sancho, this plate of roasted 
partridges can do me no manner of harm.” 

‘‘ Stay,” cried the doctor, ‘‘you must not eat that, 
and you shall not while I am here to prevent it. 
Partridges are the most deadly food of all.” 

“ If that is so,” said Sancho Panza, “ tell me which 
food is wholesome, and I will eat my fill of that, for 
I am dying of hunger, and to forbid me to eat is not 
to lengthen my life, but to shorten it.” 

“ True, my lord,” said the other. “ However, you 
ought not to devour rabbits nor any furry food, nor 
yet veal nor any dish that is a mixture of meats. In 
my opinion, some thin wafers are the safest diet for a 
governor, together with a little marmalade. I know 
what I am saying, your worship, for my name is 
Doctor Pedro Rezio di Aguera, and I was educated in 
the University of Osuna.” 

“Hark you then, sir,” cried Sancho, who was 
now getting very angry. “ Get you out of my presence, 
for, if I cannot eat, I will give up my government. 
An office that starves a man is not worth two beans.” 

The doctor was alarmed at the governor’s de- 
meanour, and would have slunk out of the hall, but 
at this moment there was heard the sound of a bugle 
in the street below. The steward, running to the 
265 


The History of Don Quixote 

window, looked out and said that it was a messenger 
from the Duke, doubtless with some despatch of great 
importance. 

A few moments later the post-boy entered the 
hall, and delivered to Sancho a packet on which 
was this direction: 

‘‘ To Don Sancho Panza, governor of the island 
of Barataria. To be delivered into his own hands, 
or to those of his secretary.” 

“ Who is my secretary ?” asked Sancho, and on one 
of the men standing by saying that it was he, the letter 
was given to him. He opened it and read as follows: 

“ I have heard, my Lord Don Sancho Panza, that 
some of our enemies mean to attack your island with 
great fury, and also that in your town there are villains 
in disguise who plot to murder you. Take heed, 
therefore, speak to no strangers, and eat nothing that 
is set before you. I rely on your prudence. 

Your friend, 

‘‘ The Duke.” 

Sancho was horrified when he heard this bad news, 
and then, remembering his hunger, he turned to the 
steward and said: “ Sir, the Duke k right. Clap this 
doctor into prison, for, if anyone has a mind to murder 
me, it is he ; and that with starving, which is the worst 
of all deaths. And now let me have a lunch of raisins 
and bread, for there can be no poison in that. In 
short, I cannot live without eating, and it seems that 
we must be in readiness for battles.” 

266 


The Island of Sancho Panza 

Several days passed away, but Sancho did not find 
his life as the governor of an island as easy as he had 
expected, for the food given to him was scanty and 
plain, and he had to spend many hours in the Court 
of Justice trying difficult and perplexing cases. 

At last, on the seventh night, when the poor squire 
was asleep after a day of hunger and hard work, he was 
aroused by a terrible outcry and noise of trumpets, 
drums, and ringing bells. It was as if the whole 
island were sinking, and when Sancho opened the door 
of his room, he saw twenty men with drawn swords 
and blazing torches running down the corridor. 

“ Arm, my lord, arm !” they cried. ‘‘ A host of 
enemies are in the island, and we are lost unless you 
can save us.” 

‘‘ Why should I arm ?” quoth Sancho. I am no 
fighting man. If you want a leader, send for my 
master, Don Quixote de la Mancha. He will defeat 
all your enemies in a trice.” 

‘‘For shame, my lord,” was the answer; “what 
cowardice is this ? See, we will bring you your arms. 
Come, march to the market-place and show yourself 
as our captain and leader.” 

“Well, then, arm me,” said Sancho, seeing that 
there was nothing else to be done. “ And good luck 
attend it.” 

The men then brought two large shields, and these 
were tied on to Sancho, the one in front and the other 
over his back, while a lance was put into his hand. 
Thus equipped, the governor set out for the market- 
place with his followers, but he had not gone far when 
267 


The History of Don Quixote 

he fell down and lay on his face like a huge tortoise, 
unable to move or to get on to his feet. 

It would have been supposed that now his com- 
panions would have had pity on the fallen man> and 
have hastened to his assistance, but instead they were 
bent on the Duke’s jest, and, putting out their torches, 
they clattered with their swords and made a great 
din, striking the poor governor and trampling on him 
as he lay on the ground encased in shields. While 
they did these things they shouted warlike orders such 
as, ‘‘ There, boys, shut that gate ! Intrench yourselves ! 
Down with those scaling ladders ! Bring grenades, 
fire-balls, burning pitch ! Barricade the streets !” 

Sancho was convinced that a great battle was going 
on above him, and he said to himself : Oh that this 
wretched island were conquered, or that I were dead 
and out of all the turmoil and trouble !” At last he 
heard shouts of “ Victory ! Victory ! The day is 
ours ! Come, my lord, and divide the spoils that you 
have taken from your foes.” 

‘‘ Help me up,” said Sancho then; ‘‘ I have beaten 
no enemies and I desire no spoil, but, if I have one 
friend here, let him give me a draught of wine, for I 
am nearly dead.” 

Thereupon he fainted, and the men took off the 
shields and carried him to his bed. They began to 
repent, thinking that perhaps the joke had been 
carried too far, but before long Sancho recovered his 
senses and they recovered their spirits. 

“ What time is it ?” asked the governor; and when 
he heard that it was break of day, he said nothing more, 
268 


The Island of Sancho Panza 

but got up and began to dress himself. This done, he 
went to the stable, followed by all the company, and, 
going up to the ass Dapple, he kissed the beast’s 
forehead and then put the saddle on to its back. He 
then climbed into the saddle with no little difficulty, 
for he was exhausted and covered with bruises. 

When he was ready he turned to his followers and 
said : “ Make way, gentlemen, and let me return to my 
old liberty. I was not born to be a governor nor to 
defend islands against enemies. Without a penny I 
came to this place, and without a penny I leave it — 
contrary to the habits of most governors. I go now 
to the Duke, and to him I will give a fair and square 
account of what I have done. Truly it seems to me 
that I have governed like an angel.” 

Thereupon they all agreed to let him go, and Sancho, 
having provided himself with some bread and cheese 
and some corn for Dapple, started off on his journey, 
determined to have done with islands and to join his 
old master, Don Quixote, once more. 


269 


CHAPTER XXVII 


“ How Don Quixote and Sancho Panza left the Duke^ s 
castle, together with an account of the adventures 
of the nets and of the wild bullsP 

S ANCHO PANZA, although very stiff and sore, 
was delighted to find himself once more on 
Dapple’s back, and on his way to his master, 
Don Quixote, whose company he valued more than 
all the islands in the world. 

He rode on, therefore, all day cheerfully enough, 
and would have reached the Duke’s castle before night- 
fall if he had not chanced to meet with an old friend 
and neighbour named Ricote, whom he had not met 
for many years. The two men halted by the wayside, 
shared their food, and spent so much time talking 
together and relating their past experiences that when 
darkness came Sancho was still more than a mile from 
his destination. 

As it was summer-time and quite warm, the squire 
was not uneasy at this delay, but determined that, 
instead of pushing on, he would turn aside out of the 
road and wait until dawn before continuing his journey. 

There were, as it happened, some old ruined 
buildings near at hand, in which it seemed likely that 
a comfortable resting-place might be found. Sancho 
270 


Strange Adventures 

made his way through- them, and then, suddenly, in 
the darkness, he and Dapple fell into a deep pit. It 
seemed as if they would go on falling for ever, but, 
after eighteen feet or so, the bottom was reached, and 
the man found himself still on his donkey’s back and 
quite uninjured. He felt his limbs carefully to make 
sure that no bones were broken, and then began to 



two sbareb tbeir foob."" 


grope about in the pit in hopes of finding some way 
of escape. To his dismay he soon discovered that this 
was impossible, for the walls of his prison were so steep 
and smooth that there was no foothold. To add to 
the melancholy of the position. Dapple lifted up his 
voice and brayed in the most dismal fashion, and soon 
Sancho joined with the poor beast in its lament. 

271 


The History of Don Quixote 

“ Oh, woe is me !” he cried. ‘‘What terrible mis- 
chance has come upon us now ? Here we are in this 
miserable cave and like to die of hunger and grief. 
My master, Don Quixote, found good food and pleasant 
company in the cavern of Montesinos, but here there are 
nothing but toads and snakes. Oh, unhappy creatures 
that we are ! Nothing is left for us but death.” 

In this doleful mood poor Sancho passed the night, 
and when morning came it brought no comfort, for 
the light only showed plainly that it would be quite 
impossible to escape from the hole without assistance. 
The man shared the remains of the bread in his wallet 
with the ass, and then sat down and began to bewail 
and despair again. 

Now, on that same morning, as luck would have it, 
Don Quixote sallied forth from the Duke’s castle to 
exercise himself and his horse, and he had not ridden 
far when suddenly Rosinante stopped short on the 
very brink of a pit. The knight was nearly thrown; 
and then, wishing to examine more closely the danger 
from which he had escaped, he peered down into the 
dark cavern wondering what might be concealed in its 
depths. 

All at once he heard a sound coming from the hole, 
and, listening intently, was soon able to distinguish the 
strains of a human voice. 

“ Ho, above there !” it cried in most dismal tones. 
“Is there no good Christian or knight or charitable 
gentleman that will have pity on a miserable creature 
buried alive, a poor governor without a government?” 

To his unbounded amazement, Don Quixote recog- 
272 


Strange Adventures 

® o^e*- the pit, he 

called^: » Who .there i Who is that complaining?” 
Who should It be/’ was the reply, but Sancho 



Panza, the wretched governor of the island of Barataria, 
and formerly squire to his highness the famous knight, 
Don Quixote de la Mancha?” 

273 s 


The History of Don Quixote 

At this Don Quixote’s astonishment increased a 
hundredfold, but not able to believe that it was really 
Sancho, he imagined that it was his ghost. 

He therefore lifted up his voice and cried: ‘‘I 
conjure thee tell me who thou art, for it is my pro- 
fession to assist not only those who are afflicted in this 
world, but also all unhappy spirits who cannot help 
themselves.” 

“ Why, surely, sir,” shouted Sancho, on hearing 
this speech, ‘‘ you must be my master, Don Quixote 
himself.” 

‘‘ My name is Don Quixote,” replied the other, 

‘‘ and it is my mission to help not only the living, but 
the dead.” 

‘‘ Why, then,” cried the voice from the pit, “ I 
am your squire, Sancho Panza, and I never was dead 
yet in all iny life. I have left my island for reasons 
that I cannot explain now, and last night I and Dapple 
fell into this terrible cave.” 

At that moment, as if to prove the truth of his 
master’s words, the ass began to bray so loudly that 
all the corners of the cavern re-echoed to the noise. 

A worthy witness,” cried Don Quixote, now 
convinced that Sancho was really alive. ‘‘ I know that 
bray as well as I know my own voice. Stay, therefore, 
in patience for awhile, Sancho, and I will go to the 
castle and summon assistance.” 

“Make haste, I pray you, master,” entreated 
Sancho, “ for I can no longer endure to be. buried 
alive, and I am nearly dead with fear and hunger.” 

Don Quixote hurried away, and soon returned with - 
274 


Strange Adventures 

men and ropes. When Sancho had been rescued, 
taken to the castle and comforted with food and drink, 
he related his experiences to the Duke and Duchess. 
They commended his conduct, and orders were given 
that he should want for nothing, as he was still sadly 
bruised and sore after all his unlucky adventures. 

Don Quixote, now that his squire had returned, 
determined that it was high time for him to sally out 
once more on his career of knight-errantry, so he told 
the Duke of his desire and begged permission to depart. 
Both the Duke and Duchess were grieved at this 
decision and tried to persuade their guest to remain 
with them, but at last, seeing that his mind was made 
up, they gave way to his entreaties. 

One morning, therefore, our hero appeared in the 
courtyard of the castle in full armour, mounted on 
Rosinante and with Sancho in attendance. The squire 
was in a brisk and cheerful mood, for the Duke’s 
steward had just given him a purse with two hundred 
crowns in it to defray the expenses of the journey. 

Everyone was assembled in the galleries and round 
about the court to witness the departure of the travellers 
and to bid them farewell. Don Quixote bowed low 
to the Duke and Duchess, and then he and Sancho 
rode out and took the direction of Saragossa. 

The knight no sooner breathed the air of the open 
country than his spirits rose and he felt that he was 
once more in his own element. He turned to Sancho 
Panza and exclaimed: “Liberty, my friend, is one of 
the greatest of blessings, and not all the treasures of 
the world or the sea can be compared to it. I tell you, 
275 


The History of Don Quixote 

Sancho, that although we had good cheer and delicious 
banquets in the castle I did not enjoy them as I should 
have done had they been my own. It is better to 
feed on a dry crust and be under no obligation than 
to eat costly meats at the expense of another.” 

Those are fine words indeed, master,” quoth 
Sancho, ‘‘ but all the same it is well to be grateful. 
I have here a little purse with two hundred golden 
crowns in it, and they are likely to be very useful to us 
before we come to our journey’s end.” 

Thus conversing together, the knight and his squire 
rode on their way, and at last turned into a wood, when, 
suddenly, Don Quixote found himself entangled in a 
network of green threads which were spread out from 
tree to tree. 

“ Sancho,” he cried, not able to imagine what this 
meant, “ here we have a marvellous thing. This 
adventure of the nets is doubtless the stratagem of 
some wicked enchanter, but I will let him know that 
even if these threads were chains of iron I could easily 
break them asunder.” 

Thus saying, he prepared to make an effort to escape, 
but just at this moment two most beautiful maidens 
appeared from among the trees. They were very 
young, not more than sixteen or seventeen, and their 
flowing hair hung like sunbeams about their shoulders. 
They were attired like shepherdesses, , but their 
garments, instead of being made of common stuffs, were 
fashioned of gold brocade, and they wore garlands of 
leaves and red flowers on their heads. 

Don Quixote was amazed when he saw the ladies, 
276 


Strange Adventures 

but before he could say anything, one of them cried: 
“ Oh, sir, pray do not tear those nets. We did not 
mean to offend you and will explain everything.” 

She then related how a number of young men and 
maidens from a village near by had resolved to set up 
a new Arcadia in the forest, and had come there to 
dwell in tents, to study poetry, and to live in happiness 
and simplicity. 

The nets were intended to catch little birds,” she 
continued ; ‘‘ and now, sir, if you will give us your 
company, you shall be welcomed and handsomely 
entertained.” 

Truly, fair lady,” answered Don Quixote, I 
thank you for your kindness, and, if it lies in my power 
to do you a service, I am at your command. He who 
makes this promise is Don Quixote de la Mancha, 
but I do not know whether this name has ever reached 
your ears.” 

‘‘ Oh, my dear !” cried one of the other shepherd- 
esses, what good fortune is this ? We have all 
heard of this gentleman, who is the most valiant 
knight in the world, and of his lady, whom men call 
the peerless Dulcinea [del Torboso. We have heard, 
too, of his squire, a comical fellow named Sancho 
Panza.” 

‘‘ I am that comical fellow,” interrupted Sancho, 
“ and this is indeed my master, Don Quixote de la 
Mancha.” 

A young man, the brother of one of the maidens, 
now appeared, and having heard that the stranger was 
none other than the renowned Don Quixote, he 
277 


The History of Don Quixote 

saluted him very civilly and begged him to join the 
rest of the tompany in the tents. 

Our hero, nothing loath, complied with this 
request, and a number of little birds having been 
caught in the green nets, they all went to the tents, 
where about thirty persons, all dressed as shepherds 
and shepherdesses, were gathered together. Don 
Quixote and his squire were made very welcome, and 
after they had had a good meal, the knight thanked 
the company heartily for their hospitality. He 
declared, moreover, that to show his gratitude he 
should take his stand for two days in the middle of the 
Saragossa road, and there oblige all passers-by to confess 
that the ladies disguised as shepherdesses were the 
fairest maidens in the whole world, excepting only the 
peerless princess Dulcinea del Torboso. 

With that he bade Sancho bring Rosinante, so that 
he might immediately carry out his intention. 

The young men and maidens were all dismayed 
at the knight’s recklessness, and begged him not to 
expose himself to unnecessary danger, declaring that 
they were convinced of his courtesy and valour without 
any such proof. Our hero, however, would not be 
dissuaded, and, mounting his horse, he posted him- 
self in the centre of the highway, lance in hand, 
and proclaimed his challenge in a loud, ringing 
voice. 

“ Knights and squires, on foot or on horseback,” 
he cried, ‘‘ know that Don Quixote de la Mancha 
stands here to assert that the ladies who dwell in this 
forest surpass in beauty the maidens of all the world, 
278 


Strange Adventures 

only excepting the sovereign of my soul, Dulcinea del 
Torboso.” 

Twice he repeated these words, but no adventurer 
came to answer or contest them. At last, however, 
a cloud of dust was seen in the distance coming along 
the road, and through it could be descried men on 
horseback with lances in their hands. 

The shepherds and shepherdesses took refuge in 
the wood when they saw the advancing cavalcade, 
and Sancho tried to shelter behind Rosinante, but 
Don Quixote kept his position undaunted. 

When the horsemen drew near, one of them 
shouted: ‘‘Get out of the way! Stand off! The 
bulls will trample you to pieces.” And then it was 
seen that the approaching company was a great herd 
of wild bulls with their drovers. 

“ Go to, rascals I” cried Don Quixote. “ Your bulls 
are nothing to me, though they be the fiercest in 
Spain. Answer my challenge 1 Acknowledge the 
truth of my assertion, or else stand and do battle 
with me.” 

The herdsmen had no time to answer these words, 
nor had the crazy knight any time to get out of the 
way, for the bulls rushed violently along the road, 
bearing all before them, and horse, rider, squire, and 
ass were overthrown and trampled under foot. 

When the herd had passed, Don Quixote lay 
stunned upon the ground, and Sancho was not in 
much better case; but, in spite of his injuries, our hero 
had no sooner recovered consciousness than he 
struggled to his feet and stumbled along the road 

m 


The History of Don Quixote 

behind the drovers, crying: ‘‘Stop, stop! A single 
knight defies you all. Stop, scoundrels and cowards 
that you are 1” 

The herd was soon out of sight, however, and then 
Don Quixote, seeing that no heed was paid to his 
challenge, sank down exhausted, and was obliged to 
wait until Sancho joined him with Rosinante and 
Dapple. 

The squire and the knight then mounted their 
steeds, and went sadly on their way, not even waiting 
to bid farewell to their friends of the new Arcadia. 


280 


CHAPTER XXVIII 


‘‘ What hu'p'pened to Don Quixote on the road to Barce- 
lona, and an account of his entry into the cityB 

D on QUIXOTE and Sanclio Panza rode on, 
and before long came to a clear pool of water 
under some tall, green trees. Here they sat 
down to rest and refresh themselves after the disas- 
trous encounter with the bulls, for they were covered 
with dust and severely bruised. 

When they had washed their hands and faces in 
the cool water, Sancho opened his wallet and spread 
out a meal, but his master was too dejected to eat. 
The squire, for his part, was too polite to begin first, 
so there they sat, hungry and silent, until, Sancho’s 
appetite getting the better of his good manners, he 
helped himself to a large slice of bread and cheese. 
Don Quixote looked at the man sadly. 

‘‘ Eat, my friend,” he said, and sustain life, but 
leave me alone to my sorrows and misfortunes. Here 
I am, a knight-errant, famous in history, renowned 
for my exploits, and honoured by princes. Here 
I am, I say, trampled and trodden under foot by vile 
beasts. The memory of it is terrible to me, and I am 
almost resolved to starve myself, even though to die 
of hunger is the most cruel of all deaths.” 

28 i 


The History of Don Quixote 

‘‘ Well, master, every man to his taste,” retorted 
Sancho, ‘‘ but I am not so foolish as to kill myself. 



‘'‘Mell, master, ever^ man to bis taste,’ retorteD Sancbo.” 


I would rather lengthen my life than shorten it by 
starving, and, in truth, it is folly to despair. Take my 
advice, sir, eat, drink, and then have a nap on this soft 

282 



The Road to Barcelona 

grass. \^nieii you wake up again, believe me, you 
will feel a new man.” 

The knight at last consented to follow this good 
advice, and then a new idea came into his head : “ Ah, 
Sancho,” he exclaimed, there is something that you 
could do for me that would indeed ease my cares. 
It is only this : while I am resting, do you take the reins 
of Rosinante’s bridle and give yourself some three or 
four hundred smart lashes as part of the three thousand 
which you are to receive for the disenchantment of 
Dulcinea. It is indeed a crying shame that the poor 
lady should remain under a spell this long time 
because of your carelessness and neglect.” 

‘‘ Nay, nay, sir,” quoth Sancho Panza ; although 
there is doubtless much in what you say, still it is no 
small thing for a man to chastise himself in cold bloody 
especially when he is as weak and sore as I am at present. 
Let my Lady Dulcinea only have a little patience, and 
some day my promise shall be made good.” 

Don Quixote said nothing more, and then the pair 
betook themselves to slumber, while Rosinante and 
Dapple grazed in the green meadow close at hand. 

It was late in the day when our travellers took to 
the road once more, and then they went on at a 
leisurely pace until they reached an inn, which, strangely 
enough, Don Quixote called an inn, and not a castle, 
as was his wont. 

Here they were well entertained, and as the knight 
heard that a great tournament was to be held at Barce- 
lona, he decided to go there instead of to Saragossa. 
After a good night’s rest, therefore, they started off 
283 


The History of Don Quixote 

in this new direction; but before long trouble over- 
took them and they were set upon by a band of 
robbers. 

The disaster occurred at dawn upon the second 
morning, when the knight and his squire had not yet 
mounted their steeds.- They were therefore taken 
at a disadvantage, and the thieves quickly made them 
prisoners and rifled their baggage. The Duke’s gold 
was, however, not discovered, for it was hidden in a 
girdle that was round Sancho Panza’s waist. 

The captain of the brigands was a dark, stalwart 
man of about thirty-four years of age. He was 
mounted on a strong horse, wore a coat of mail, and 
carried no less than four pistols. This person, in spite 
of his formidable appearance, was not a ruflian, and, 
seeing Don Quixote’s downcast face, he went up to 
him and said: ‘‘ Be not sad, good sir, for you have not 
fallen into the hands of a cruel captain, but of Roque 
Guinart, a man compassionate rather than stern.” 

“ I am not sorrowful because I am your captive, 
valiant Roque,” answered Don Quixote, “ but because 
I, a knight-errant, have allowed myself to be taken 
by surprise, unarmed and with my horse unbridled. 
Let me tell you, sir, that had your men found me 
mounted and with lance in hand, it would have been 
no easy matter for them to overcome me. I am that 
Don Quixote de la Mancha whose exploits are famous 
throughout the world.” 

On hearing these words Roque realised that this 
was indeed the mad knight of whom he had ofteti heard, 
and he was overjoyed to meet him and to judge for 
284 


The Road to Barcelona 

himself whether the entertaining stories were really 
true. 

“ Brave champion,” he said, ‘‘ vex not yourself 
about what has happened, for this adventure may prove 
to be to your advantage.” 

He then commanded his men to restore the goods 
that they had stolen from our travellers, and when this 
had been done the rest of the booty taken since their 
last enterprise was brought before him and divided 
among the band. 

Well,” quoth Sancho Panza, when the distribution 
had been made to the satisfaction of all concerned, 
“ it seems that the old proverb is true which says, 
‘ There is honour among thieves.’ ” 

One of the brigands, overhearing this remark, 
immediately levelled his gun at the speaker, and would 
have fired had not Roque intervened. The squire 
was struck dumb with terror at this occurrence, and 
resolved not to speak another word while he was in 
such dangerous company. 

At this moment a scout came up and told the 
captain that a great company of travellers was passing 
along the road. ‘‘ Away, my boys !” cried Roque. 

Bring them hither, and see that none escape.” 

The robbers obeyed the command, and Roque? 
Don Quixote, and Sancho were left alone. The 
captain then turned to his knightly prisoner and said: 
‘‘ Sir, doubtless our life appears to you a perilous and 
wretched one, but you must know that I was forced 
into this career by cruel injuries which were done to 
me. Now that I am involved in it, I must needs go 
285 


The Historjr of Don Quixote 

on, but I hope that some day all my misfortunes will 
come to an end.” 

“ Senor Roque,” replied our hero, ‘‘ when a man 
knows that he is in the wrong, he has taken the first 
step towards amendment. If you wish for peace and 
happiness, then give up this fatal profession and join 
me as a brother knight-errant. Thus will you soon 
expiate your offences and attain to honour and felicity.” 

Roque smiled at the knight’s serious words, but 
said nothing, and soon afterwards the robber band 
returned with their prisoners. These included two 
gentlemen on horseback, some pilgrims, a coachful 
of women, and sundry servants and muleteers. All 
the folk were brought before the chief, but he treated 
them with civility, and although he took money from 
the rich members of the company, he did not rob the 
poor, and finally all the travellers were allowed to 
continue their journey in safety. 

Roque detained Don Quixote and his squire, but 
he treated the knight as a guest, and wrote a letter on 
his behalf to a friend of his, Don Antonio Moreno, who 
lived in Barcelona. In this he stated that three days 
hence, on Midsummer Day, the famous knight, 
Don Quixote de la Mancha, would be found mounted 
and armed on the seashore outside the city. He added 
that the crazy knight was a most pleasant person, who 
would give much entertainment to Don Antonio and 
his friends. This letter was carried into the city of 
Barcelona by one of the brigands, who, for the occasion, 
disguised himself as a simple countryman. 

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza stayed two days. 

286 


The Road to Barcelona 

with the robbers, travelling with them from place to 
place, and at length, on Midsummer Eve, they reached 
the seashore near Barcelona. Here Roque bade his 
guests farewell and departed, they remaining on the 
beach until dawn. 

They had not been there very long when the sun 
began to rise, and the knight and his squire, looking 
round, saw the sea, which they had never beheld in 
their lives before. It seemed to them to have a noble 
and spacious appearance, and to be far larger than the 
Lake Ruydera, which is situated in La Mancha. They 
had not, however, gazed their full at the wonderful 
sight, when there came to their ears the joyful sounds 
of hautboys and kettle-drums, and a merry company 
of gentlemen rode out of the city gates. They were 
well equipped and attired in handsome raiment, while 
bells jingled on the harness of their horses. 

Three riders galloped up to Don Quixote and 
greeted him with acclamations and shouts of welcome. 
“ Hail, brave Don Quixote de la Mancha !” they 
cried, ‘‘ thou who art the mirror of chivalry and the 
bright star of knighthood.” 

‘‘ These gentlemen seem to know us well,” said 
our hero, turning to his squire in amazement; and 
then one of the riders, who was Don Antonio Moreno, 
addressed the knight in these words : 

Noble Don Quixote,” he said, ‘‘ we are all your 
servants, and the friends of Roque Guinart; therefore 
we pray you to bear us cdmpany and to accept our 
hospitality.” 

Sir,” answered the knight, your courtesy is 

2^7 


The History of Don Quixote 

like that of the brave and generous Roque. I will 
therefore accompany you wherever you please to 
command.” 

They all then rode on and entered the city in 
great state, to the sound of noble music, after which 
the travellers were escorted to the house of Don 
Antonio, who proved to be a gentleman of wealth, 
intellect, and position. 


288 


CHAPTER XXIX 

“ The combat of Don Quixote de la Mancha with the 
Knight of the White Moon^ 

N OW it happened one morning, after Don 
Quixote and Sancho Panza had been staying 
for some time with Don Antonio Moreno and 
his lady in the city of Barcelona, and had been well 
entertained, that our hero went abroad on the sea- 
shore to take the air. He was armed at all points, as 
was his custom, and mounted on his horse Rosinante. 
Before he had gone very far on his way he beheld 
another warrior, also fully equipped, and with a white 
moon blazoned on his shield. 

When the stranger came within hearing he 
stopped, and cried out with a loud voice : Illustrious 
knight, Don Quixote de la Mancha, I am the Knight 
of the White Moon, and it may be that you have 
heard of my exploits. Lo, I have come here now to 
enter into combat with you, and, by force of arms, 
to compel you to acknowledge my lady — whatever 
she may be called — to be incomparably more beautiful 
than the fair Dulcinea del Torboso. If you confess 
this freely, you will escape from certain death, and 
will save me the trouble of slaying you. If not, then 
these are the conditions of the battle: I being the 
victor, you must immediately forsake your career of 
289 T 


The History of Don Quixote 

knight-errantry, promising to live at home in peace 
for a whole year, seeking during that time to improve 
your estate, and never taking sword in hand. If, 
however, you defeat me in the encounter, then my 
life is at your mercy. Consider what to do, and give 
me your answer, for the matter must needs be decided 
this very day.” 

When Don Quixote heard this challenge, he was 
amazed at its arrogance, and replied in a grave and 
courteous manner, saying: 

‘‘ Sir Knight of the White Moon, whose exploits 
and renown have not, as yet, come to my knowledge, 
it is evident that you have never seen the Lady Dul- 
cinea, for, had you beheld her beauty, you would 
assuredly have been convinced that no other maiden, 
past, present, or future, could be her equal. There- 
fore, sir, not wishing to give you the lie direct, I will 
only tell you that you are grievously mistaken, and I 
will accept your challenge. Now, since it seems that 
you have but little time at your disposal, choose 
your ground, and we will begin the combat without 
delay.” 

While the two warriors were arranging the prelim- 
inaries of the encounter, news of the coming of the 
stranger knight was brought to the Viceroy of Bar- 
celona. He hastened at once to the scene of the 
conflict, accompanied by Don Antonio and other 
gentlemen, and arrived just as the affray was about 
to begin. 

The Viceroy entered into conversation with the 
Knight of the White Moon, and learned that the 
290 


The Knight of the White Moon 

dispute was about a lady. He then spoke to Don 
Antonio, inquiring whether he knew the stranger, 
and whether the affair were merely some mimic 
adventure arranged at the expense of Don Quixote. 

Don Antonio answered that he had no knowledge 
of the matter, and this troubled his Highness, for he 
knew not whether to forbid the combat. However, 
he persuaded himself that there must be some merry 
jest at the bottom of the affair, so he decided to let 
the business take its course, and thus addressed the 
knights : 

‘‘ Brave warriors,” he said, ‘‘ if you cannot settle 
this dispute of yours without a battle, there is no more 
to be said. The field is free, and may Heaven prosper 
you both.” 

The two combatants then thanked the Viceroy 
for this gracious speech, and Don Quixote immediately 
began the battle, without waiting for trumpet-call 
or signal. 

His antagonist, however, was no less eager for the 
fray, and, setting spurs to his horse, he rode forward 
at a great pace and met our hero with such violence 
that both he and Rosinante were overthrown and lay^ 
upon the ground as if dead. 

The Knight of the White Moon then dismounted 
hurriedly, and, standing over Don Quixote, who, 
although sorely bruised, was not stunned, he held his 
lance to his throat and cried: ‘‘You are vanquished, 
Knight of La Mancha; fulfil the conditions of the 
battle this instant or you are a dead man.” 

Don Quixote, injured and dismayed as he was, did 
291 


The History of Don Quixote 

not hesitate, but replied in a low, weak voice : Dul- 
cinea del Torboso is the most beautiful lady in the 
world, and I am the most unfortunate of knights. 
She shall not suffer even if I, her champion, am 
vanquished. Pierce me with your lance. Sir Knight, 
and then my life and my honour will expire together.” 

‘‘Nay, I will not be so harsh,” was the reply; 
“ Dulcinea shall still remain the fairest of ladies if 
the brave Don Quixote will but consent to return 
home for a full year, as agreed.” 

The Viceroy and the other gentlemen listened to 
this proposal, and Don Quixote then answered that, 
if nothing were demanded to the prejudice of the 
Lady Dulcinea, he would satisfy all the other condi- 
tions of the battle. 

This matter being arranged, the Knight of the 
White Moon rode away in the direction of the city, 
and Don Antonio Moreno followed him at the Vice- 
roy’s request, for his Highness had a great curiosity 
to know who this strange warrior might be. 

Don Quixote was then lifted up, and when his 
helmet was removed it was seen that his face was pale 
and very sorrowful. 

Rosinante, too, was in a woqful plight ; and as for 
Sancho Panza, he knew not what to say or what to do. 
It seemed to him, indeed, that he must be either 
dreaming or bewitched, for here was his master, 
whom he had reckoned invincible, forced to lay down 
his arms and live peaceably for a year. 

The injured knight was now put into a chair, 
which had been brought for the purpose, and was 
292 


The Knight of the White Moon 

conveyed into the city, accompanied by the Viceroy 
and his train. 

Don Antonio, meanwhile, followed the Knight of 
the White Moon to his inn, and declared that he 
would not go away until he discovered who he was. 

“ Sir,” said the other, “ I have no need to conceal 
my name from you; so, if you will listen, I will relate 



Zbc injured ftnfabt was put into a cbalr.^" 


the whole story. You must know, then, that I am a 
neighbour of Don Quixote, called Samson Carrasco, 
and I, together with sundry others of his friends, 
sought means by which the madness of the knight 
might be cured. 

It seemed to us that rest and comfort at home 
would be the best remedy, and I therefore planned 

293 


The History of Don Quixote 

a means to induce him to give up his career of ’warfare. 
About three months ago, under the title of the Knight 
of the Mirrors, I met him in combat, under conditions 
the same as those of to-day.- That time Fortune was, 
however, on the side of Don Quixote. He unhorsed 
me, and I returned home injured and discomfited. 
Wishing to retrieve my character for bravery, I 
returned to the quest, and now, as you see, have been 
victorious. Don Quixote is a man of honour, and 
will, I know, keep his promise, so we may hope that 
his madness will soon be cured. That is the story, 
and I beg, sir, as a favour, that you will conceal the 
truth and also my name from the knight.” 

“ Oh, sir !” cried Don Antonio, you have done 
a great mischief, in that you have robbed the world 
of the finest entertainment that ever was given to 
mankind. But I believe, myself, that his madness 
is too firmly established ever to be removed, and I 
could almost wish that this may prove to be the case. 
If we lose Don Quixote, we lose also Sancho Panza, 
with all his droll humour and merry wit. However, 
you may trust -me. I will keep the secret and say 
nothing about the matter.” 

Carrasco then took leave of Don Antonio and 
started for home, riding his war-horse, and with his 
armour packed on to the back of a mule. 

Don Antonio gave an account of the affair to the 
Viceroy, who was sadly vexed to hear that they were 
like to lose the company of the mad knight. 

We must now return to Don Quixote, who lay 
in bed for six days, very dejected and sullen. His 
294 


The Knight of the White Moon 

squire, meanwhile, did his best to administer consola- 
tion. 

“ My dear master,” he said, cheer up and be 
thankful that things are no worse. Why, you might 
have had your neck broken with the fall, and, as it is, 
you have not even cracked a rib ! One cannot always 
expect to be victorious in battle, so let us go home 
comfortably, and think no more of knights- errant and 
of adventures. Indeed, if anyone has cause to com- 
plain, it is me, for although I soon tired of being a 
governor, I had not given up hopes of becoming an 
earl, and now, if you miss your kingship, where is my 
earldom 

“ Say no more, Sancho,” answered the knight; 
“ I have only agreed to lay aside my sword for a year. 
Then I shall return to my old profession. Undeniably, 
I shall be a king, and you shall be an earl.” 

Heaven grant I may,” remarked Sancho piously; 
‘‘ and, as the old proverb says, ‘ All things come to 
him who waits long enough.’ ” 

A few days later, Don Quixote, being somewhat 
recovered, bade farewell to his kind host, Don Antonio, 
and started off on his homeward journey. As he had 
discarded his armour for the time, this was packed on 
to Dapple’s back, and so poor Sancho Panza was 
obliged to trudge behind his master on foot. 

The knight was very downcast as he left the city 
of Barcelona, and on coming to the spot where the 
encounter with the stranger had taken place, he stood 
with his eyes fixed on the ground and his mind full 
of melancholy thoughts. 

295 


The History of Don Quixote 

‘‘ This is where Fate robbed me of all my triumphs,” 
he said. Here fickle Fortune turned against me, here 
my glory was eclipsed, and here my happiness was 
destroyed for ever.” 

Sancho, seeing his master in this woebegone mood, 
as usual hastened to comfort him. 

Good sir,” he said, it is well to have patience, 
even when things go badly. Look at me. When I 
governed an island I was merry enough, but now 
that I am only a poor squire again, I do not 
despair.” 

You are a wise man,” said Don Quixote, but 
for my part I believe that everyone is master of his 
fate. I should have been more prudent, and have 
remembered that poor old Rosinante was too weak 
and old to withstand the huge and powerful horse of 
the Knight of the White Moon. However, it was the 
fortune of war. I did my best and I was defeated. 
Let us trudge on, Sancho, and get home quickly. In 
our year of retirement we will rest, and, at the end of 
it, return with new vigour to our profession of arms.” 

“ Sir,” said Sancho, these long marches on foot 
are no pleasure to me; therefore, let us hang this heavy 
armour of yours on to a tree and leave it until we come 
back. When I am mounted on Dapple’s back once 
more, we will travel as speedily as you like.” 

“ You are right, my friend,” was the other’s reply. 
‘‘ I will hang up my arms as a trophy, and beneath them 
on the bark of the tree I will cut an inscription, saying 
that whoever touches them does so at his peril.” 

‘‘ Good !” quoth Sancho. And if it were not that 
296 


The Knight of the White Moon 

we shall need him on our journey, it were well to hang 
old Rosinante up to the tree with the armour.” 

“ On second thoughts,” said Don Quixote then, 
neither the armour nor the horse shall be left behind. 
Both have served us well, and good services must needs 
be rewarded.” 


CHAPTER XXX 


‘‘ The adventure of the hogs, and an account of the 
disenchanting of the Lady Dulcinea del Torhoso by 
Sancho Panzai^^ 

F or some days Don Quixote and his squire 
travelled on slowly, and at last they reached the 
place where the unlucky encounter with the wild 
bulls had taken place. The remembrance of that 
adventure turned our hero’s thoughts into a new 
channel, and he made up his mind that, having for a 
time abandoned the profession of knight-errantry, 
he would become a shepherd, after the fashion of the 
young men and maidens of the new Arcadia. 

‘‘ I will buy myself a flock of sheep, Sancho,” he 
said, and everything else that is necessary for a 
pastoral life. My name shall be the Shepherd Quixotis, 
and with you at my side I will wander over the hills 
and valleys, singing and making poetry. Water from 
the sparkling brooks shall be our only drink, the trees 
will give us shelter and their nuts will be our food. 
The green meadows shall serve as carpets for our feet, 
and in the hours of darkness the moon and the stars “ 
will serve as tapers.” 

Upon my faith,” cried Sancho, ‘‘ that kind of 
life will suit me down to the ground, and if the scholar 
298 


Di senchantment of Lady Dulcinea 

Carrasco and Master Nicholas the barber hear of it, 
doubtless they will turn shepherds too. What a merry 
time we will have ! What gay garlands and pretty 
fancies I will contrive ! What feasts of curds and whey 
we shall enjoy !” 

“ It grows late,” said Don Quixote, interrupting 
his squire’s discourse, so no more talk at present ; 
let us leave the road and encamp ourselves in the fields. 
To-morrow a new day will begin.” 

They betook themselves, therefore, to the meadows 
that bordered the highway, and made a slender meal, 
which suited Sancho as little as did the hard ground 
for a resting-place. At last, however, he fell asleep 
and dreamed of the comfort and luxuries which he had 
enjoyed at the Duke’s castle and in the houses of Don 
Diego and of Don Antonio Moreno. 

It was a dark night and there was no moon, but 
our hero could not sleep peacefully. After a time 
he got up and roused Sancho Panza from his slumber. 

MyTfiond,” he said, I am amazed at your sluggish 
temper. When I am awake, you sleep; when I mourn^ 
you rejoice. A good servant should always share the 
sorrows of his master. It is a still, calm night; we are 
in a solitary place. Surely it is a disgrace to waste such 
an opportunity. Arise, then, and with a cheerful 
heart give yourself some three or four hundred of 
those lashes owing for the disenchanting of my Lady 
Dulcinea. I earnestly request you to do this, and when 
the penance is finished, we will pass the rest of the 
night in chanting ballade, and so begin our pastoral 
life.” 


The History of Don Quixote 

‘‘ Sir,” cried Sancho, in a very ill humour at being 
thus disturbed, ‘‘ do you take me for a monk that you 
ask me to rise and scourge myself in the middle of the 
night ? Does it seem a simple matter to endure torture 
one moment and start singing the next ?” 

Oh, wicked squire ! Oh, faithless servant !” ex- 
claimed Don Quixote. Is this my reward for having 
secured you a government and promised you an 
earldom ?” 

The knight and his squire were thus disputing when 
suddenly they heard a loud, grunting noise that seemed 
to come from all the hills and valleys around. The 
knight started up and seized his sword, while Sancho, 
discreet as usual, entrenched himself behind the pile 
of armour. 

Every moment the strange sounds seemed to grow 
louder and the amazement of the listeners increased, 
but at last the cause of the turmoil appeared. 

It was a great herd of some six hundred hogs, which 
were being driven to a fair in a neighbouring town. 

Don Quixote and Sancho were almost stunned with 
the horrible noise, and so, instead of retreating, they 
remained directly in the way of the beasts, which 
thronged up in a solid mass, and, overthrowing both 
master and man, trampled them in a dreadful fashion. 
Sancho was the first to recover from the onslaught, and, 
scrambling to his feet, he shouted to his master, asking 
him to lend his sword so that at least half a dozen of 
the grunting creatures might be despatched. 

No, my friend,” was the knight’s reply; “Provi- 
dence has doubtless sent this disgrace. It is onl 
300 


Disenchantment of Lady Dulcinea 

fitting that dogs should bite and pigs should trample 
a vanquished 'warrior.” 

Sancho grumbled not a little at this decision ofiiis 
master. 

And belike Providence sends flies to sting and 
hunger to famish us poor squires of those same con- 
quered knights,” he muttered. “ But enough; let 
us lie down and sleep through what remains of the 
night.” 

When day came, the travellers set out once more 
on their homeward journey, but Don Quixote did 
not forget his lady-love, and before long he called 
upon Sancho to make good his promise. This time, 
however, he offered his squire a reward for the service, 
saying: ‘‘You may set what price you like on the 
lashes, and it shall be paid out of the money of mine 
which you have in your charge.” 

Sancho Panza was well pleased with this arrange- 
ment, and decreed that each stripe should cost three 
halfpence. 

“ Three thousand halfpence,” he said, “ is fifteen 
hundred pence, and there will be three hundred half- 
pence besides. Truly a goodly sum, and I shall 
reckon myself well paid for my pains, although, doubt- 
less, I shall be well whipped. However, he cannot 
catch fish who fears to wet his feet, master. I need 
say no more.” 

“ Heaven well reward you, good Sancho,” cried 
the knight, also well satisfied to have the matter 
decided; and then Sancho promised that he would 
begin his scourging that same night. 

301 


The History of Don Quixote 

When twilight came, therefore, they took up their 
quarters in a shady wood, and Sancho Panza, having 
made himself a strong whip out of Dapple’s halter, 
retired to a little distance among the trees. 

Don Quixote, seeing the man’s resolution, felt 
some misgivings, and called to him: “Dear friend, 
do not punish yourself too cruelly, I pray you. Do not 
cut yourself to pieces. Go gently to work. I will 
count the strokes, but, indeed, I would not have you 
kill yourself.” 

“ I will give myself an honest thrashing, master,” 
replied the squire, “ but I do not mean to Mil myself, 
never fear;” and then, without further ado, he began 
to lash his bare shoulders with the halter. 

Before he had given himself seven strokes, however, 
Sancho repented of his bargain, and wondered whether 
the stripes were not too cheap at three halfpence 
each. Seeing that he hesitated, Don Quixote, 
fearing that his plan would be frustrated, called to 
him, saying: “ Go on, my friend, do not delay; take 
courage, and I will double the payment.” 

“ Well said,” quoth the other. “ I will lay on the 
lashes thick and fast.” 

With that came the sound of the whip again, but 
this time the cunning Sancho, instead of flogging his 
own back, was striMng the trees around with all his 
strength. At the same time he groaned so dismally 
that at last the tender-hearted knight could bear it 
no longer, for he feared that the man would kill himself 
before the penance was accomplished. 

“Hold!” he cried. “Stop, my poor friend! No 
302 


Disenchantment of Lady Dulcinea 

more of it now. Come, I say; enough is as good as a 
feast. Rome was not built in a day. If I have 
counted rightly, you have already dealt yourself at 
least a thousand lashes. That is sufficient for one 
thrashing. Drive not the willing horse to death.” 
No, no !” was the squire’s reply. ‘‘ It shall never 



“Bt last tbe tenbersbeartcb bmgbt coulb bear it 
no longer.'" 


be said of me that I did not do my duty. Stand off, 
sir, I pray you. Get out of the way of my whip. 
I will lay on another thousand lashes. Then we shall 
have made a good beginning, and another thrashing 
bout will finish the whole business.” 

“Very well,” said Don Quixote; “since you are in the 
humour for it, proceed, and may Heaven reward you.” 

303 


The History of Don Quixote 

With that Sancho fell to again, and struck the trees 
SO unmercifully with his whip that the bark on them 
was cut to pieces. 

All the time he continued to cry out most piteously, 
until, at last, his master ran forward and snatched the 
halter from his hand. 

“ Enough !” he cried. Stay the fury of your arm. 
I do not want to have your death at my door. Let 
the Lady Dulcinea have patience for a while. I 
myself am content to wait until you have recovered 
your strength.’’ 

“ As you will, sir,” was the answer, “ but I pray 
you throw a cloak over my shoulders. After such a 
flogging as I have had to-night, a man is in danger of 
catching cold.” 

With that Don Quixote took off his own cloak and 
wrapped it round Sancho’s shoulders, so that the 
squire, having thrown himself down on the ground, 
slept in warmth and comfort until sunrise. 

That morning they rode on again, and in three 
hours’ time arrived at an inn, which the knight acknow- 
ledged to be an inn, without either battlements, 
moats, or draw-bridges. This showed that he had 
flnished with romance for the time. 

The travellers were given comfortable quarters, 
and, when evening came, the knight said to Sancho 
Panza: “ Well, my good Sancho, do you feel inclined 
to flnish your penance to-night ? Truly, a warm house 
would be a better place for a flogging than the open 
air.” 

Why, sir,” replied the squire, what does the 

304 


Disenchantment of Lady Dulcinea 

place matter ? A whipping is a whipping wherever 
it is given, and I am warm enough under the trees. 
You see, master, I love trees greatly, and methinks 
they bear me company in the penance. It seems 
that they have a fellow-feeling for my sufferings.” 

‘‘Very well, honest fellow,” said the knight; 
“ and, now I think of it, you shall have more time to 
recover. We will leave the rest of the lashes until we 
get home, and that will be in two days’ time.” 

“ It shall be as your worship likes,” answered 
Sancho, “ but to my thinking it would be best to 
make an end of the job while my blood is up and my 
hand is in. Strike while the iron is hot, good master. 
Delay is dangerous. A bird in the hand is worth two 
in the bush.” 

“ For Heaven’s sake, Sancho, no more of your 
proverbs !” cried Don Quixote. “ Can you not speak 
like* other folk, man, and not in this roundabout 
fashion?” 

“ It is just a trick I have,” was the squire’s reply; 
“ I cannot say two words without a proverb, and that 
is the truth. But I will try to mend my ways if I can.” 


305 


u 


CHAPTER XXXI 


^he home-coming of the valiant knight, Don Quixote 
de la Mancha.^^ 

T owards evening the knight and his squire 
left the inn, and after travelling for about three 
miles came to a wood. Here it was decided that 
they should halt, in order that Sancho Panza might 
continue his penance. This he did in the fashion 
of the previous night, and with such a will that the 
bark of the trees that grew round about was scored 
with the blows of the whip. A total of three thousand 
and twenty-nine had been reached by the time that 
the sun rose, and during the next night the full com- 
plement of lashes was completed. 

This was a cause of great rejoicing to Don Quixote, 
and he waited with impatience until dawn, hoping that 
now, at last, he might see his lady in her natural shape 
and in her peerless beauty. When they started out 
on the final stage of their journey, he gazed eagerly 
at every woman who passed by, in order to ascertain 
whether she were the fair Dulcinea or not, for he had 
perfect confidence in the promises of the supposed 
Merlin, and did not doubt but that they would be 
fulfilled. 

He was still absorbed in these hopes and dreams, 
306 


Home-coming of Don Quixote 

when a hill was reached from which a view of their 
native village could be obtained. Sancho fell on his 
knees at this welcome sight, and cried : Oh, my long- 
lost home ! Here is your child, Sancho Panza, come 
back again, who, although he has been soundly thrashed, 
has yet succeeded in whipping some money into his 
pockets. Open your arms to receive him. And here, 
also, is Don Quixote, who, in spite of suffering defeat 
in battle, has got the better of himself. That is a fine 
victory — or so he says.” 

‘‘Silence, impertinent rascal!” interrupted Don 
Quixote. “ And let us enter our birthplace in a discreet 
and quiet fashion. Once there, we can loosen our 
tongues, and describe the new pastoral life which we 
intend to adopt.” 

As the travellers came near to the village, they saw 
some huntsmen pursuing a hare. The chase was so 
close at the animal’s heels that she ran and crouched 
at Dapple’s feet. Sancho picked her up and presented 
her to Don Quixote, but the knight refused the gift 
with a melancholy shake of his head. 

“ Nay, it is an ill omen,” he said ; “ a hare runs away, 
hounds pursue her, and Dulcinea will never be dis- 
enchanted.” 

“ On my faith, sir, you are a strange man,” cried 
Sancho; but his master refused to be cheered, for now 
he had made up his mind that he should never see his 
lady-love in her true shape. 

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza entered the village, 
and were met by the priest and the scholar, Carrasco, 
who ran to welcome their old friend with open arms. 

307 


The History of Don Quixote 

They all went on together to the knight’s house, and 
there his niece and the housekeeper, having heard the 
good news, were waiting to receive him. 

The return of the travellers caused great excitement 
in the village, and soon Teresa, Sancho’s wife, appeared. 



merc^ on U5, busbanor ebe 


with her dress in disorder and her hair about her ears. 
The woman had received a letter from her husband 
during the time of his government, and now she was 
eager to share his new wealth and honours. When she 
saw him, however, in his old clothes, footsore, and 
covered with dust, her disappointment knew no bounds. 

308 


H ome-coming of Don Quixote 

“Why, mercy on us, husband!” she cried, “what- 
ever is the meaning of this ? Truly you look more like 
a beggar than a governor.” 

“ Be silent, Teresa,” was the squire’s rejoinder; 
“ all is not gold that glitters. Money I have and plenty 
of it. I came by it honestly, too, without doing harm 
to anyone.” 

“ Money 1” cried Teresa. “ Then everything is all 
right ;” and with that she took her husband’s arm and 
they went off together to the cottage, Sancho leading 
his faithful Dapple by the halter. 

Don Quixote was thus left with his old friends, the 
priest, the barber, and Carrasco, and he lost no time 
in taking them into his confidence. First he related 
the history of his battle with the Knight of the White 
Moon, telling how he had been defeated, and how he 
had promised to return home and to stay there in 
retirement for a whole year. Then he declared that 
he meant to become a shepherd, and, having begged the 
other men to share this pastoral life with him, he 
promised to provide, at his own expense, a sufficiency 
of sheep for the undertaking. 

The listeners were amazed at this new scheme, but 
seeing that it might be a means of keeping the knight 
at home, and hoping that within a year he would be 
completely cured of his malady, they pretended to 
applaud the project, and agreed to turn shepherds 
themselves into the bargain. 

It will be the most delightful life imaginable,” 
exclaimed Carrasco, “ especially for me, who am a poet 
by profession. I will write an abundance of pastorals, 
309 


The History of Don Quixote 

and sometimes I will chant them to you as we range 
the hills and meadows. Moreover, I will choose a 
shepherdess to whom my love-songs may be addressed, 
and I will cut her name on the bark of trees, however 
hard and tough that bark may be.” 

You are right, sir,” said Don Quixote, ‘‘ but 



‘''tiClbatcvcr mabncss is this?' crieb tbe niece."" 


there is no need for me to search for a fair shepherdess, 
having already a peerless lady-love in the person of the 
beautiful Dulcinea del Torboso, whose loveliness is 
such that no poem could do her justice.” 

Not long afterwards the priest, the barber, and the 
scholar took their departure, and then Don Quixote’s 
housekeeper and niece, who, according to their usual 
310 


Home-coming of Don Quixote 

custom, had listened to the conversation, came for- 
ward and rated the knight soundly for his folly. 

“ Bless me, uncle,” cried the niece, whatever 
madness is this ? We thought that you had come to 
live soberly at home, like a respectable gentleman, 
and now it seems that you must needs be wool-gather- 
ing after sheep.” 

“ And mercy on us !” interrupted the housekeeper, 
‘‘ how will your worship endure the heat of summer-time 
and the winter frosts if you dwell in the open fields ? 
Besides, there are wolves. Pray, good sir, do not think 
of it. Such a life is truly only fit for men who are 
roughly bred and as strong as horses into the bargain.” 

‘‘ Good women, hold your tongues,” commanded 
Don Quixote, “ for I am feeling ill and exhausted. 
I must needs go to bed without delay. Meanwhile 
do not trouble yourselves about this matter, for you 
may rest assured that whether I am a knight-errant 
or a shepherd-errant, I will never fail to provide for 
you both.” 

The niece and the housekeeper were both good- 
natured creatures, so they did not make any further 
commotion, but helped their master to bed, brought 
him food, and tended him with all imaginable care. 
It was hoped that, by the next day, the knight would 
have recovered his health and spirits, but instead he 
was seized with a violent fever, which soon reduced 
him to a grievous condition. 

Sancho Panza never stirred from the bedside of 
his beloved master, and his other friends, the priest, 
the scholar, and the barber, visited him daily. It 
311 


The History of Don Quixote 

seemed to them that the knight’s illness was caused 
by his defeat and his disappointment at the failure of 
Dulcinea’s disenchantment, so they did their best to 
divert his thoughts from these unhappy subjects, 
and talked of the pastoral life they intended to lead, 
of sheep, and of two tearing dogs which Carrasco 
declared that he had purchased to guard the flock. 

All this cheerful talk, however, had no effect on 
Don Quixote. He continued in his melancholy 
mood, and when at last a physician was summoned, 
he pronounced the patient to be in a dangerous state 
and near to death. 

The knight, hearing this, begged all his friends to 
leave him for a time, and later, after he had had a few 
hours’ sleep, they found him calm and in his right 
mind. 

“ My good friends,” he said, I have happy news 
for you. It is this : I am no longer Don Quixote de la 
Mancha, but plain Alonso Quesada again. Moreover, 
I now declare that I hate all romances and stories of 
knight-errantry, and regret my past follies and mad- 
ness.” 

The listeners were amazed to hear their friend talk 
in this fashion, and thought that it was only some new 
frenzy. 

“ What is this, Don Quixote ?” cried Carrasco. 

We have just had tidings that the Lady Dulcinea 
is disenchanted at last, and we are all going to turn 
shepherds and live in the woods like so many princes.” 

No more of that foolishness, pray,” was the 
answer of the dying knight. ‘‘ I am very near to 
312 


Home-coming of Don Quixote 

death, and this is no time for trifling. All I want 
now is a priest to comfort my soul, and an attorney 
to take dowm my will.” 

Our hero, therefore, confessed his sins and made 
his will, after which he fell into a swoon, and passed 
away three days later, to the sorrow of his friends and 
of his trusty squire, Sancho Panza. 

And so Don Quixote died, and was buried in his 
native village, the scholar Carrasco writing the 
epitaph. And although some folk may call him 
crazy, and ridicule his follies and adventures, he was, 
doubtless, a good master, a courtly knight, and a very 
gallant gentleman. 



PRINTED TN GREAT BRITAIN FOR WELLS GARDNER, 


DARTON AND CO. 


LTD. 


LONDON 





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